Santa Maria Museum

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Açores > Vila do Porto > Vila do Porto

Location

The Santa Maria Museum, located in Vila do Porto, is situated in the heart of the historic area. It is on Rua Frei Gonçalo Velho, one of the thoroughfares that runs through the old part of the town, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the traditional atmosphere and urban characteristics that marked the beginning of the island's settlement.

The Houses and Their History

This museum occupies buildings with a significant past for the island. It resulted from the restoration of two old constructions: a remaining part of what is believed to have been the house of the third Captain-Donee of Santa Maria, João Soares de Sousa, an important figure in the early days of the island, and the house where Manuel Monteiro Velho Arruda was born, a renowned Mariense physician and historian whose studies greatly contributed to the knowledge of local history.

The architecture of the museum building respects and reinterprets elements of the Captain-Donee's house, with the facade featuring openings of different shapes and arrangements, reminiscent of influences from styles such as Gothic and Manueline. This original structure is believed to be one of the oldest examples of civil architecture on the island, having been classified as a Property of Public Interest.

The Island's Story Told

When visiting the Santa Maria Museum in Vila do Porto, one discovers the island's narrative from its very beginnings. The focus is on telling the story of the arrival and settlement of the first inhabitants, addressing the pioneering spirit of life on what was the first island of the Azores to be discovered and populated.

The exhibition journey takes visitors on a trip through time, explaining how the community developed, adapted, and overcame challenges, shaping the daily life and Mariense identity throughout the centuries. The history is presented up to a more recent period, including the construction of the airport and its impact on local life, showing the different phases of the island's transformation.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt