National Museum and Art Gallery

The National Museum and Art Gallery in Port of Spain is a building with seven gallery spaces displaying art, geological items, and objects related to petroleum. The rooms also feature materials from Trinidad's Carnival and other important parts of the island's heritage.

The building began in 1892 as the Royal Victoria Institute and suffered severe damage from a fire in 1920 that left only the outer walls standing. Repairs took place over several years before reopening in 1923.

The galleries display artworks by local painters and objects from Trinidad's Carnival traditions that show how these art forms shape the island's identity. Walking through the rooms, you notice how deeply these creative practices are woven into everyday life here.

The museum has several areas to explore with an audiovisual room for educational programs that explain things in accessible ways. There are also additional locations at other important sites around the city if you want to see more collections.

The museum holds an anchor discovered in 1877 that may have belonged to Christopher Columbus's ships. The artifact was given to the collection in 1912 and connects visitors to early Caribbean history in a tangible way.

Operator: Government of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago

GPS coordinates: 10.66279,-61.51021

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:54