Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Beja > Almodôvar > Santa Clara-a-Nova e Gomes Aires > Santa Clara-a-Nova
The Manuel Vicente Guerreiro Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum is located in the peaceful village of Santa Clara-a-Nova, nestled within the typical landscape of the municipality of Almodôvar, in the heart of the Alentejo region. Its presence in this locality contributes to the valorization and preservation of the region's traditions and history, offering visitors an authentic perspective of the Alentejo environment.
A significant part of the museum's collection transports us to daily life in the villages and countryside, as it was lived until the mid-20th century. Visitors can observe a vast collection of tools and objects that bear witness to the crafts and rural traditions of yesteryear. Essential activities such as harvesting, beekeeping, cork production, and shepherding are depicted.
The museum also recreates domestic and commercial environments, such as the old grocery store, the tavern, formerly known as a "venda" (shop/inn), or the barbershop. It's also possible to glimpse a blacksmith's workshop, a weaving space, a school, and a community hall ('casa do povo'). Of particular interest is the detailed reconstruction of a typical Alentejo kitchen, with its chimney and the traditional medronho (arbutus berry brandy) still, offering an immersive experience into the way of life of that era.
In addition to its ethnographic component, the museum houses a valuable collection of archaeological pieces. These findings come from the important site of Mesas do Castelinho, a place that reveals multiple strata of human presence in the region. The pieces on display cover a long period of history, from the Iron Age, through the Roman dominion, up to the Islamic period. This collection allows for an understanding of the evolution of the communities that inhabited these lands over millennia.
This cultural space is a tribute to Manuel Vicente Guerreiro, a central figure in the museum's foundation. It was his dedication that allowed for the gathering of a substantial part of the ethnographic collection. Many of the pieces that make up this collection were generously donated by the inhabitants of the Santa Clara-a-Nova area themselves, reflecting a strong sense of community and the desire to preserve their heritage. The museum thus presents a total of over 1300 pieces, each telling a part of the local history.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 37.4906987,-8.1462738
Coordinates DMS: 37°29'26.5"N 08°08'46.6"W
Weather Santa Clara-a-Nova e Gomes Aires
On-duty Pharmacy Santa Clara-a-Nova e Gomes Aires
