Silk Museum

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Castelo Branco > Castelo Branco > Castelo Branco > Barrocal

Location

The Silk Museum is located in Castelo Branco, in the urban area of Barrocal. It is situated in an accessible area of the city, offering a peaceful environment that mirrors the serenity of the locality. Its location allows for a relaxed discovery of the space and its immediate surroundings.

A Portuguese Heritage

This museum is dedicated to unveiling the fascinating history of silk production in Portugal. More than an exhibition, it reveals the profound legacy of sericulture in the country, from its origins, even before the nation's formation, through the importance it gained in the Beira Interior region. The museum highlights the intrinsic link between silk and the rich artisanal traditions of Castelo Branco, such as the famous embroidered quilts, where this valuable material plays a central role.

The Silk Museum is overseen by the Portuguese Association of Parents and Friends of Mentally Disabled Citizens (APPACDM) of Castelo Branco, an entity that holds the largest national sericulture production. This social aspect gives the museum a unique dimension, demonstrating how the silk tradition remains alive and relevant, with significant partnerships in the field of research, particularly with universities in Portugal and Italy.

From Cocoon to Thread: The Art of Silk

A visit to the museum guides visitors through the various stages of silk production, from its starting point in the silkworm's life cycle to the obtainment of the final product. Through its thematic rooms, it is possible to understand the entire process, from the rearing of the worms to the weaving of the threads. The space displays a variety of traditional instruments that were and still are used in the ancestral method of obtaining silk, allowing for a deeper appreciation of the techniques involved and the beautiful resulting objects.

Beyond the exploration of the traditional process, the museum addresses the diverse applications of silk. It shows how this material, though often underestimated, possesses invaluable worth, being used both in conventional weaving contexts and in cutting-edge technological innovations, particularly in areas such as Biology and Medicine.

A Space of Inclusion and Knowledge

The Silk Museum was designed to be a welcoming space, accessible to all visitors. It incorporates modern communication resources to ensure that information is shared inclusively. Among these resources are the availability of information in four different languages, the use of sign language, the presence of a tactile paving system that facilitates the orientation of visually impaired people, and the use of Braille code.

This inclusive approach ensures that the experience of discovering the history and fascinating world of silk is fully enjoyed by a diverse public, making knowledge about this heritage accessible to all who visit.

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