City Museum of Aveiro

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Aveiro > Aveiro > Aveiro > Glória e Vera Cruz

Location:

The Aveiro City Museum is located in the Glória and Vera Cruz area, in the heart of the city. It is in a central, accessible area, integrated into Aveiro's urban life, and easy to find for those strolling through the center.

A Building with History

This museum occupies the space of the former Convent of Jesus, a construction with roots in the 15th century. Its foundation is attributed to figures such as D. Brites Leitão and D. Mécia Pereira. The convent gained particular relevance and fame with the arrival of Princess D. Joana, daughter of King D. Afonso V, who lived a life marked by devotion here. Her presence and subsequent beatification made this place a central point of worship and a reference in the city's history. The building underwent transformations and expansions over the centuries, adapting before becoming home to the museum.

Architectural and Artistic Treasures

A visit to the museum invites the discovery of spaces with remarkable historical and artistic value. On the ground floor, visitors will find the lower choir, where the impressive tomb of Princess Saint Joana stands out. This work is considered a remarkable piece of Baroque art, executed in multicolored marble under the guidance of the royal architect João Antunes, revealing influences of Italian taste. The Church of Jesus, integrated into the itinerary, is another highlight, with its sumptuous gilded carved wood decoration and Portuguese tile coverings, a beautiful example of exuberant Baroque. The monumental route also includes the cloister, whose wings date back to the 15th and 16th centuries, and the refectory, with its elegant reading tribune and walls also decorated with tiles.

The City and the Ria

To complement the exploration of the convent's historic spaces, the museum dedicates a significant part of its content to telling the story of Aveiro and its profound relationship with the Ria. Through the exhibitions, visitors can understand how local communities connected with the lagoon environment, learning about traditional activities such as salt pans, moliço harvesting, or fishing. The importance of the Ria in the movement of people and goods, influencing the city's economy and growth, is also addressed, including references to local productions such as ceramics. The museum also offers a chronological perspective of the city's most important events and pays tribute to Aveiro residents who left their mark. A traditional moliceiro, an emblematic vessel of the Ria, can also be found on display.

Art, Devotion, and Environment

The museum's collection brings together a diverse array of sacred art, including paintings, sculptures, carved wood pieces, tiles, and goldsmithery. Many of these pieces are intrinsically linked to the history and atmosphere of the former convent and the figure of Princess Saint Joana. The visit allows one to walk through the spaces once inhabited by the nuns, feeling the tranquility of their former quarters, passing through the cloister's arcades, or observing the contrast of colors and the richness of the altars in the church. The presence and legacy of Saint Joana are constant elements that permeate many of the exhibited works, inviting contemplation and the discovery of history and art within this unique building.

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