Islamic Art Core - Mértola Museum Cláudio Torres

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Beja > Mértola > Mértola > Além-Rio

Location

Situated in Mértola's Além-Rio area, this museum center is located next to the old Porta da Ribeira (Riverside Gate).

Its position in the historic center of the village, in a building that once served as a granary, harks back to the historical importance of this area, which functioned as the main access to the old river port.

A Treasure of History

The collection presented here is the result of decades of archaeological research and work, much of it focused on the excavations carried out at Mértola's Alcáçova (citadel).

It brings together a significant collection from the Islamic period, which extended between the 9th and 13th centuries, offering a perspective on the life and culture of the community that inhabited the village at that time.

Daily Life Revealed in the Pieces

Through the diversity of exhibited objects, it is possible to glimpse distant daily life. The exhibition includes a variety of pieces, such as ceramics, metal and glass elements, architectural fragments, and funerary stelae with inscriptions.

Each artifact, a product of the work and techniques of the era, contributes to telling the story and illustrating the savoir-faire that flourished in Mértola during the Islamic presence.

The Art of "Corda Seca" Ceramics

Particular emphasis in the collection is given to the set of ceramic pieces decorated with the "corda seca" (dry cord) technique.

This glazing method, of oriental origin and refined in the potteries of Al-Andalus, features a rich variety of decorative motifs. Initially inspired by vegetal and animal elements, the patterns evolved into geometric and epigraphic compositions, demonstrating the artistic sophistication achieved.

A Space with a Past

The museum center is housed in a historic 18th-century building, which previously functioned as a warehouse.

The rehabilitation of this space respected its original structure, while the exhibition project integrated elements that visually and thematically relate to the Islamic heritage, creating a harmonious environment for the presentation of the collection.

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