Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Aveiro > Vagos > Lomba > Vagos e Santo António
The Santo António House Museum is located in Lomba, an area that is part of Vagos and Santo António, in the municipality of Vagos. Its location is set in an environment that still today evokes the rural character and life linked to agriculture, typical of the Gândaras region.
This museum is a remarkable example of the Gândara house, a traditional construction that reflects the characteristics of local architecture. Built with adobe walls, blocks of lime and sand dried in the sun, the house features a hipped roof covered with Marseilles tiles. Its facade is marked by a typical pattern of windows and doors, sometimes with a central gate, all framed by stonework details, giving it a distinctive visual identity.
The house's design is organized around an inner courtyard, which served as the center of daily activities. Various compartments opened onto this courtyard, from living areas to agricultural outbuildings, such as granaries and stables. This layout optimized agricultural work and ensured family privacy, with the courtyard often shaded by a trellis or vine.
A visit to the Santo António House Museum offers an authentic glimpse into the daily life of a family from the region, whose status was slightly more comfortable, partly due to emigration. Each room had a specific purpose and furniture that reflected the needs and rituals of the time. Particularly noteworthy is the Sala do Senhor (Lord's Room), a space of great dignity, reserved for solemn moments such as Easter or funeral vigils, adorned with specific pieces, including a crucifix and religious images.
The heart of the house was, undoubtedly, the daily-use kitchen. It was by the hearth, the floor-level fireplace, that the family gathered at dusk to share meals, prayers, and stories. This vital space witnessed the baking of broa (cornbread) in the traditional oven and housed essential utensils such as the larder and the water jug stand for fresh water. The dining room, in turn, was reserved for more significant family events, such as baptisms and weddings, while other, more modest rooms served their essential function for rest.
The preservation of this unique house goes beyond mere architectural conservation; it represents a valuable testament to the way of life of ancestors in the Gândaras region. Through its spaces and objects, it is possible to understand the daily experiences, beliefs, and traditions that shaped the community over time. It is a place that allows a direct connection with local history and culture, offering an intimate perspective on the past and the evolution of Portuguese rural life.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.5281829,-8.6908543
Coordinates DMS: 40°31'41.5"N 08°41'27.1"W
Weather Lomba
On-duty Pharmacy Lomba
