Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Braga > Braga > Braga > Cividade
The museum is located in Braga, in the urban area known as Cividade. This name directly evokes the city's Roman past, indicating that the museum is set within a historically significant area, where layers of time intersect beneath the current urban fabric.
The history of the Dom Diogo de Sousa Regional Museum of Archaeology dates back to an early concern for the preservation of the remains of the Roman city of Bracara Augusta. It owes its name to Dom Diogo de Sousa, a 16th-century Archbishop who was notable for collecting and publicly displaying archaeological artifacts, in a pioneering initiative to value heritage.
The formalization of a museum institution dedicated to archaeology in the city was a long process, materializing in its current form as a central space for the research and dissemination of the rich past of Northern Portugal, with a particular focus on Braga's Roman heritage.
The museum's permanent exhibitions offer a comprehensive journey through the region's archaeological history, from the Paleolithic to the Medieval period, with a particular focus on finds from the Braga area. The objects on display tell the story of the peoples who inhabited this territory over thousands of years, allowing an understanding of the evolution of societies, their beliefs, and their daily lives through the material remains they left behind.
The museum's collection is notable for its richness and specialization in regional archaeology, highlighting the importance of the Roman city of Bracara Augusta. Among the most significant pieces is an impressive set of milestones, stone markers that indicated distances on Roman roads and are considered one of the best collections of this type of artifact in Europe. Also unique is the opportunity to see a Roman mosaic preserved in the exact location where it was discovered, providing an authentic and direct connection to the past.
The collection continues to be enriched with finds from local excavations, such as a Roman altar consecrated to an indigenous deity, discovered on the outskirts of Braga. Alongside these unique pieces, the museum displays a wide range of artifacts in ceramic, glass, bronze, and precious metals, which illustrate the daily life, beliefs, and cultural interactions that shaped the region's history over the centuries.
In addition to the exhibition galleries, the museum features landscaped outdoor spaces. These provide a tranquil environment for visitors, functioning as an extension of the museum and offering an area to enjoy the outdoors in the context of the cultural visit.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.546072,-8.4271996
Coordinates DMS: 41°32'45.9"N 08°25'37.9"W
Weather Braga
On-duty Pharmacy Braga
