Archaeology Museum of the Martins Sarmento Society

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Braga > Guimarães > Guimarães > Centro Histórico de Guimarães e Zona de Couros

Location

This museum is located in the heart of Guimarães city, in an area of great historical relevance that includes the Historic Centre and the Couros Zone. It is housed within the premises of a significant building of Guimarães heritage, the old Convent of S. Domingos.

Its central location makes it easily accessible for those exploring the city's historic streets on foot, and it is integrated into an urban environment classified by UNESCO.

A Foundation with History

The Archaeology Museum of the Martins Sarmento Society is an indispensable reference in the history of Portuguese archaeology. It was founded in 1885, making it one of the oldest archaeological museums in the country. Its creation owes much to the legacy and pioneering work of Francisco Martins Sarmento, a central figure in the study of ancient cultures of the region.

The Society that oversees it, established in 1881, dedicated itself early on to the research and preservation of heritage, making this museum an enduring reflection of these concerns and a testament to the museological concepts of the era in which it was created.

In an Old Convent

Since 1888, the museum has occupied the spaces of the old Convent of S. Domingos, a building with its own historical and architectural significance. The main exhibition is housed in the convent's Gothic cloister, providing a distinctive and atmospheric setting for the presentation of the archaeological collections.

The interaction between the exhibited pieces and the medieval architecture of the cloister creates a unique experience, where the history of the building merges with that of the artefacts it preserves.

Archaeological Collections

The museum's collection is remarkable and largely focuses on materials gathered from archaeological excavations carried out in the region, with special emphasis on sites of the Castro Culture, such as Citânia de Briteiros and Castro de Sabroso. The collections offer a deep insight into the life and culture of these ancient populations.

In addition to pre- and proto-historic artefacts, the museum brings together important collections of epigraphy and ancient sculpture, including Roman pieces. Among the most prominent objects are the notable Vilela votive chariot and sculptures of Gallaecian-Lusitanian warriors, which testify to the richness and diversity of the archaeological heritage of the Iberian Northwest.

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