Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Castelo Branco > Castelo Branco > Castelo Branco > Sé e São Pedro
The Francisco Tavares Proença Júnior Museum is located in the heart of Castelo Branco, in the historic area known as Sé and São Pedro. It is housed in an emblematic building of the city, the former Episcopal Palace, occupying a central and easily accessible position for those exploring the locality.
The experience of visiting the Museum begins in the very building that houses it. It is the former Episcopal Palace of Castelo Branco, an imposing construction erected in the late 16th century and later remodelled, exhibiting characteristics of Baroque architecture. This palace, classified as a National Monument, provides the Museum with a setting of great beauty and historical significance, inviting a journey back in time even before its collections are explored.
The collection of the Francisco Tavares Proença Júnior Museum is vast and diverse, with a particular focus on areas that tell the history and identity of the region. The Archaeology collections are one of its pillars, presenting prehistoric finds, such as Bronze Age megaliths, Roman presence vestiges, and Iron Age artefacts. In parallel, Textile Art stands out, exhibiting the famous Castelo Branco bedspreads. These pieces, embroidered in linen with natural silk threads and with origins dating back to the 16th century, are notable for their Oriental-inspired designs, vibrant colours, and depicted motifs, such as couples, birds, and vegetal elements. The Museum also includes an important core of Sacred Art and some contemporary artworks, such as those by Noronha da Costa, completing a comprehensive cultural panorama.
Founded in 1910 by the archaeologist it is named after, Francisco Tavares Proença Júnior, the Museum was born with a strong vocation for the study and preservation of local heritage. Its mission focuses on the collection, conservation, and dissemination of its holdings, with a close eye on the archaeology and textile collections, understood as fundamental elements of the region's identity. The Museum thus seeks to be a space for knowledge and aesthetic enjoyment, contributing to the understanding of the cultural roots of Castelo Branco and its municipality.
In addition to its permanent exhibitions, the Museum is an active cultural space. It features areas dedicated to temporary exhibitions, exploring varied themes such as textile art, ethnography, or regional furniture, always ensuring new perspectives on culture. The Museum's Noble Hall is also a venue for various initiatives, from concerts to lectures, enriching the cultural offerings. For researchers and curious minds, there is also a specialized library, with a valuable bibliographic collection on history and archaeology, facilitating access to knowledge about heritage.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.82824281, -7.49431315
Coordinates DMS: 39°49'41.7"N 07°29'39.5"W
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