Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Braga > Braga > Braga > Sé
The Pio XII Museum is located in the Sé area, in the heart of the city of Braga. It is housed in the building of the Conciliar Seminary of Santiago, a construction that is part of the historic urban fabric of the locality. Its position allows visitors to explore the surrounding area, marked by the city's architecture and history.
The origin of the Pio XII Museum dates back to 1957, a result of the remarkable dedication of Canon Luciano Afonso dos Santos. This scholar dedicated himself to the investigation of `Sacred Art` and `Archaeology` in the Minho region, with particular attention to Braga, and his discoveries form the basis of the initial collection. The museum underwent a complete renovation between 2000 and 2002, now presenting its collections in a modernized way. A significant space in the museum honors the life and work of Canon Luciano, displaying his writings, decorations, and some of his most important discoveries, such as a `Roman mosaic` and a `dolium` (a large Roman vessel).
The museum is distinguished by its dual aspect: `Archaeology` and `Sacred Art`. The collections cover a wide range of objects, including lithic pieces, numismatics, ceramics, textiles, as well as sculptures, paintings, and goldsmithery. The archaeological section displays elements such as sarcophagi, gargoyles, and crosses, many of them unearthed by Canon Luciano himself. Also notable in this field is one of the largest collections of axes in the Iberian Peninsula. In addition to the permanent collection, the museum periodically presents temporary exhibitions, which allow visitors to explore other facets of its collections.
One of the points of interest of the Pio XII Museum is the presence of the ruins of the `Domus de Santiago`. This was an ancient wealthy house that existed during the time of `Bracara Augusta`, Roman Braga. Although much of the ruins are located beneath the current seminary building, visitors can observe and imagine the `Peristyle` of the residence. In the same context, a `mosaic` with marine motifs, discovered in the Domus de Santiago and in excellent condition, offers a direct window into the daily life and art of Roman Braga.
Integrated into the museum, the `Torre de Nossa Senhora da Torre` (Our Lady of the Tower Tower), a `medieval` structure with an attached chapel, offers a unique experience. Over its five floors, the history of the city of Braga is narrated and documented, from its origins to the present day. Each floor invites a journey through time, addressing periods such as the foundation of Bracara Augusta, medieval Braga, the Renaissance with its squares, and the beautification of the city by notable architects. At the top of the tower, a remarkable `panoramic view` over Braga reveals the extent and beauty of its urban and landscape design.
In addition to its main focus, the Pio XII Museum complex houses a gallery dedicated to the work of `Henrique Medina`. He was an influential portrait artist of the 20th century, and the museum is the custodian of a considerable collection of his paintings and drawings. This section offers an additional perspective on Portuguese art, complementing the sacred art and archaeology collections with the vision of one of the great names in national portraiture.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.548431238293205, -8.42568979854782
Coordinates DMS: 41°32'54.4"N 08°25'32.5"W
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