Dr. Mário Bento Museum

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Castelo Branco > Penamacor > Meimoa

Location

The Dr. Mário Bento Museum is located in Meimoa, a quiet village situated in the municipality of Penamacor. This village, nestled in the Beira Interior region, offers a tranquil and rural environment, characteristic of Portugal's inland landscapes. Its location allows for an immersion in the cultural and natural heritage of this area. The museum is centrally positioned within the village's urban fabric, accessible to those exploring the locality on foot.

The Space and Its History

This museum is housed in an old olive oil mill, formerly owned by the Cameira family. The building underwent careful adaptation and expansion by the Penamacor Municipal Council, transforming a rural workspace into a cultural preservation center. This conversion allowed for the preservation of the original structure's authenticity, integrating the industrial equipment and furniture that bear witness to the traditional olive oil production process. It is, therefore, an example of how industrial heritage can be valued and repurposed for new objectives.

The Collections and Their Legacy

The heart of the Dr. Mário Bento Museum lies in the valuable archaeological and ethnographic collection donated by its patron, Dr. Mário Pires Bento. This scholar, a native of Meimoa, dedicated part of his life to collecting and studying remnants of the past, with a particular focus on the Roman presence in his parish. In addition to this main collection, the museum incorporates other pieces that have been generously offered over time. The exhibition is organized into different thematic sections. On the lower floor, visitors can observe the mill's industrial complex with all its functional elements. Meanwhile, on the upper floor, Dr. Mário Bento's collection is presented in areas dedicated to the cycles of bread and wine, two pillars of local ethnographic culture, and a section focused on Roman archaeology. This exhibition aims to trace the evolution of the region's food base, from the Roman period to the 20th century, highlighting the permanence of olive, cereal, and vine cultivation.

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