Municipal Museum of Archaeology of Aljustrel

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Beja > Aljustrel > Aljustrel

Location

The Municipal Museum of Archaeology of Aljustrel is located in the town of Aljustrel, in Alentejo. Its address, on Rua São João de Deus, places it in a central area, integrated into the urban context of the locality. Its presence in a historic building contributes to the characteristic atmosphere of the town.

The Building's Memory

The Municipal Museum of Archaeology of Aljustrel is housed in a building with its own history in the town. This site previously served as the Paços do Concelho, the former Municipal Council headquarters. Attempts were made, already in the early years of the 20th century, to establish a library here and a space to store historical pieces. However, it was only at the end of the 90s that the museological institution took shape, with the official opening of its headquarters in 2002, honoring the importance of the property in Aljustrel's heritage.

A Window into the Human Past

This museum is dedicated to exploring human presence in the Aljustrel region from the most remote prehistoric times to the contemporary period. Its central purpose is to document the journey of the communities that inhabited this area over millennia. Particular focus is given to the history of the mines, an activity that profoundly shaped the identity and development of the locality over centuries.

Collections and Treasures of the Land

The museum's collection consists of a valuable set of archaeological and ethnographic pieces that tell the region's history. Among its most important items are the Aljustrel bronze tablets, Roman documents of great historical relevance. Another piece of particular interest is the Carniceira Stele, a funerary monument dating back to the Bronze Age, found in the parish of São João de Negrilhos. The collection also includes artifacts such as a ceramic pot from the Necropolis of Monte do Farrobo, which enrich the knowledge about ancient populations. A significant part of the collection comes from findings related to mining activity, a legacy preserved with the support of former operators of the region's mines.

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