D. Diogo de Sousa Museum of Archaeology

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Braga > Braga > Braga > Cividade

Location

The D. Diogo de Sousa Museum of Archaeology is strategically located in the heart of the city of Braga, more precisely in the area known as Cividade. This zone is of particular historical relevance, as it corresponds to the epicenter of the ancient Roman city of Bracara Augusta, which flourished in this location approximately two thousand years ago.

Its location allows the museum to be situated within an urban context that still breathes the heritage of the past, serving as an ideal starting point for understanding Braga's deep connection to its Roman roots and the evolution of its territory over the centuries.

The Legacy of Bracara Augusta

This museum is the main repository and interpreter of Braga's vast archaeological heritage, with a special focus on the grand city of Bracara Augusta. Its collections are composed of thousands of artifacts recovered from excavations in the region, offering a detailed panorama of life in the Iberian Peninsula from Prehistory to the Middle Ages, with an undeniable emphasis on the Roman period.

Among the findings exhibited, it is possible to admire vestiges of civil and religious architecture, inscriptions that reveal the names and stories of ancient inhabitants, coins, ceramics, colorful mosaics, and everyday utensils that illustrate the social, economic, and cultural practices of our ancestors.

A Journey Through History

In the various exhibition rooms, visitors are guided through a chronological and thematic journey that unveils the successive layers of human occupation in the territory of Braga. The exhibition narrative allows for an understanding of the founding of Bracara Augusta, its development as the capital of a vast Roman province, and the transition to subsequent periods.

The museum does not limit itself to displaying objects; it proposes a contextualized reading of them, seeking to reconstruct the environments and realities that originated them. In this way, each piece contributes to a deeper understanding of the urban, social, and cultural evolution of the region over millennia.

Architecture and Museum Environment

The building that houses the D. Diogo de Sousa Museum of Archaeology was designed with an architecture that respects its function and the surrounding historical context. Its lines and spaces were conceived to optimize the conservation and exhibition of the collections, creating an environment conducive to contemplation and the study of the past.

The arrangement of the rooms and the carefully planned lighting contribute to an immersive experience, where the past is revealed clearly and engagingly. The design of the space facilitates the understanding of the complexity of the vast archaeological collection, making the visit an enriching journey through Braga's cultural legacy.

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