Mosteirinho or Mosteirinho Convent / Clock Museum

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Beja > Serpa > Serpa > Bairro Municipal

Location

This place is integrated into the historic area of Serpa, forming part of its old nucleus and situated within the intramural protected area. It is located close to Praça da República, which facilitates pedestrian access when strolling through the town's streets.

From Origins to the Present Day

The building known as Mosteirinho or Convento do Mosteirinho has its roots in the 16th century, having originally been a religious convent. Over the centuries, its use changed. More recently, this space gained a new life, being adapted to house the Clock Museum. This transition, completed in 1995, allowed for the preservation of the historical structure while giving it a distinct cultural purpose.

The Interior Environment

Upon entering this space, visitors can observe details of its original architecture dating back to the 16th century and subsequent interventions. The floors made of handcrafted tiles and the whitewashed walls and vaults give the building's interior a unique ambiance. There is also a small garden, which adds a peaceful touch to the ensemble, contrasting with the robustness of the original construction.

The Clock Collection

The Clock Museum houses a remarkable collection dedicated to time measurement. Visitors to the museum have the opportunity to discover a vast and diverse variety of mechanisms and instruments that have marked time throughout history, from wristwatches and pocket watches to grandfather clocks and more complex mechanisms. This collection, which began to be formed in 1972, finds its exhibition space in this old convent, creating an interesting union between the building's past and the fascination with chronometry.

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