Vila Franca do Campo Municipal Museum

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Açores > Vila Franca do Campo > Vila Franca do Campo > Bairro do Carneiro

Location

The Municipal Museum of Vila Franca do Campo is located in the area known as Bairro do Carneiro, with its main entrance on Rua Visconde do Botelho. Situated in an urban area of the town, it is conveniently located for those strolling through the locality on foot. Its proximity to the waterfront allows for the visit to be integrated into a route along the coastal area and the historic center of Vila Franca.

A Look at Local History and Identity

This cultural space acts as a bridge to the rich history and unique identity of Vila Franca do Campo. The town was the first major settlement hub in São Miguel and the initial capital of the Azores, playing a crucial role in the 15th century. Its history was deeply marked by the 1522 earthquake, an event that transformed the landscape and the life of the community. The museum is dedicated to preserving the memory of these origins, traditions, and experiences that shaped the character of the people of Vila Franca over the centuries.

Collections and Featured Themes

When visiting the museum, the public has the opportunity to explore various facets of local life and culture. The ethnographic collections cover themes such as the production of the typical Vila Pottery, the Traditional Crafts that sustained the local economy, and the significant history of Whaling Art in the region. Other areas cover the community's Religion and Devotion, the manufacturing of the Viola da Terra (an Azorean musical instrument), and the legacy of the Hydraulic Mills that pioneered the island's development. Archaeological findings and testimonies of architecture linked to the historic Orange Cycle complete the portrait of the community presented in the exhibitions.

The Various Museum Nuclei

The Municipal Museum of Vila Franca do Campo distinguishes itself by being dispersed across various locations in the town, operating through multiple nuclei. These include the imposing Solar Viscondes do Botelho, often locally referred to as "Comando" (Command), the Mestre António Batata Pottery Museum, the Manuel Jacinto Carvalho Pottery Kiln, the old Água d´Alto Hydroelectric Power Plant, and the São José Mill. Each of these spaces offers a different perspective on the history, work, and culture of Vila Franca do Campo, although the Casa Botelho de Gusmão, which is part of the museum, is not currently open to the public.

The Living Tradition of Pottery

One of the most captivating nuclei is, without a doubt, the Mestre António Batata Pottery Museum. Housed in the original structure of a 19th-century pottery workshop, this space preserves the environment and traditional working techniques. Visitors can observe the old potter's wheels and the kiln, and at certain times, watch demonstrations or even try their hand at working with clay. This nucleus is a testament to the important pottery tradition in the town, particularly in the São Pedro area, offering direct contact with an ancestral craft that continues to produce the distinctive local pottery.

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