In addition to painted boats that sail on the canals of the city, Aveiro known buildings in the art Nouveau style. The style of art Nouveau, or even call it "modern", originated in France and quickly spread throughout Europe.

Buildings built in the art Nouveau style, a lot not only in Aveiro, but in Lisbon and Porto. Especially a lot of two-storey buildings around Rossio square, in the centre of Aveiro, the facades are decorated with arcades, Bay Windows and columns with different decor and tiles. Examples include the family home of a wealthy businessman Mario Bellonte Pessoa, known for its facade of carved stone and wrought iron. Inside the walls of the house are decorated with colourful tiles "Azulejos", which depicts local landscapes, birds, animals and flowers. It was in this house and there is a Museum of modern art Aveiro.

The design of the Museum building engaged architects Silvia Rocha and Ernest Korrodi. The house itself, which is now a Museum, was built in 1909 and was privately owned by the family Pessoa. He has long stood in ruins. Then it passed into state property, it is fully restored and turned into the Museum of modern art. The Museum is very large, so it is on the ground floor there is a map, which is easy to navigate the Museum. The first floor is devoted to the buildings, built in the traditional style of art Nouveau. Also has a tea room where you can relax and play the piano. Upstairs is an art gallery, where works by contemporary artists and architects of the city, and an auditorium. On the last floor is reserved for temporary exhibitions.