Rural Museum of Salselas

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Bragança > Macedo de Cavaleiros > Salselas

Location

The Salselas Rural Museum is located in the village of Salselas, part of the municipality of Macedo de Cavaleiros. Situated in the Northeast Trás-os-Montes region, it occupies the first floor of a building it shares with the parish council headquarters. This central position in the village facilitates access for visitors to the area.

The Memory of Rural Culture

This museum space was born from the desire to preserve and showcase the rich traditional culture of Trás-os-Montes. Its creation, conceived in 1976 by Jaime António Gonçalves, also known as the writer Antonio Cravo, mobilized not only the local community but also the emigrants from the parish. The active participation of the population, both in the construction of the building and in the donation of numerous objects, reflects a strong community spirit in safeguarding a heritage at risk of being lost. The museum opened its doors to the public in August 2000, becoming one of the most recent spaces of its kind in the region.

The Universe of Local Ethnography

With a permanent exhibition area of 180 square meters, the museum houses a vast collection of ethnographic items. These pieces tell the story of the deep connection between the people of Salselas and the land that sustains them. The exhibition is organized into eighteen thematic sections, divided into two major universes: the Universe of Man and the Universe of Rural Society. Among the highlighted elements, it is possible to observe the recreation of a Farmer's Shed, where a traditional ox cart is found, surrounded by various agricultural implements. This representation emphasizes Salselas' historical importance as a former hub of rural carpentry, known for producing ox carts for several neighboring localities. The exhibition route also explores the cycles of bread, wine, olive oil, and linen, and recreates the environment of a typical Trás-os-Montes house, offering a comprehensive perspective on rural life in this region.

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