Jorge Ribeiro de Sousa Agricultural House (No. 6) or Municipal Museological Space

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Beja > Ferreira do Alentejo > Ferreira do Alentejo > Bairro do Castelo

Location

Casa Agrícola Jorge Ribeiro de Sousa, also known as Casa dos Morgados da Apariça, is a historic building located in the town of Ferreira do Alentejo, in the District of Beja, Portugal.

Ferreira do Alentejo Municipal Museum

The building houses the Ferreira do Alentejo Municipal Museum and is classified as a Property of Municipal Interest.

Architecture

Casa Agrícola exhibits typical features of a 19th-century noble building, with two floors and an attic. On the ground floor, originally used for agricultural activities, there is a wine cellar, a warehouse, and a granary. The stables are located in the same area.

Location and Facades

The house is situated on a corner, with the main facade facing Rua Conselheiro Júlio de Vilhena and the rear facing Rua D. Nuno Álvares Pereira. The facade features straight lintel openings, balcony windows on the second floor, and iron railings. The gate is topped by a pediment with volutes and finials, as well as a plaque with the monogram R. S.

Interior

On the first floor, there are vaulted ceilings supported by masonry pilasters. There is an access atrium that also serves as the Municipal Library, located in the adjacent building.

History

Casa Agrícola was built at the end of the 19th century and belonged to Jorge Ribeiro de Sousa, heir to the Morgada da Apariça and the Counts of Avilez and Boa Vista. The building played an agricultural role, providing support for the extensive cultivated lands of the Avilez family in the Alentejo.

Current Use

In 1976, the house became property of the local council. Over the years, it has been used for various purposes, such as a warehouse, headquarters for municipal services, and a base for scouts. Since 2004, it has housed the Municipal Museum, which was inaugurated on October 22 of that year.

Preservation

Although it has undergone renovations to adapt to its functions, the facades of Casa Agrícola have not undergone significant modifications, having only been subjected to a restoration process. The cornices and corner pilasters are decorated with stucco reliefs.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museu_Municipal_de_Ferreira_do_Alentejo

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