The museum was opened in 1957 and installed in the gothic cloister of the Cathedral of Ourense, from the 13th century. The museum houses funds from a variety of periods. The collection can be grouped into series: liturgical objects (goblets, trays...); the treasure of San Rosendo from the Monastry of Celanova; liturgical clothing and religious sculpture and painting.

The most noteworthy pieces are: the Santa Eufemia kist, the Missal Auriense (printed in 1494, the first printed book in Galicia), the processional cross attributed to Enrique Arfe, and a series of vitreous enamel by Limoges that belonged to a 12th century kist.