Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Castelo Branco > Vila de Rei > Vila de Rei
The Municipal Museum is situated in the heart of Vila de Rei, in one of the oldest buildings in the locality. Formerly known as Casa do Patronato, the property is located in the most central area of the town, giving it a prominent presence in the urban fabric and facilitating access for those strolling through its main streets.
This museum invites a journey through time, faithfully recreating the daily life of a wealthy farming family who lived in the region between the 19th and 20th centuries. Through its various spaces, visitors can gain a deep perspective on the rural way of life of the era, from the most intimate aspects of the home to the demands of farming and the trades that shaped the community.
Upon entering the building, we are transported to the different environments that comprised a traditional house. The bedrooms, such as those of the parents, the girl, and the boy, reveal period details, from the iron bed with corn husk mattresses to oratories and wooden toys. The dining room, used for celebrations, and the pantry, where clay pots of honey and olive oil were stored, illustrate the family organization. In the kitchen, one can observe utensils such as the iron pot, oil lamps, and water pitchers, essential for daily life.
Beyond domestic experiences, the museum explores the world of rural professions and activities that sustained life in Vila de Rei. In the outdoor areas, scenes such as clothes washing and the bread baking oven are recreated. A vast collection of tools demonstrates the knowledge of the carpenter, shoemaker, potter, blacksmith, sawyer, and resin collector. There are also objects related to the flax cycle, pig slaughtering, and even a picota (well sweep) for drawing water from the well, illustrating the richness of the local ethnography.
In the museum's cellar, a space dedicated to agricultural production and storage, the importance of the winery is revealed. Here, wine and brandy were made, and olive oil and cereals were stored. The presence of a Roman olive press stands out, a testament to the region's long agricultural tradition, and a large jar that once served the Commandery of Vila de Rei for receiving payments in olive oil, underscoring the centrality of these products in the local economy.
The building that now houses the Municipal Museum has, by itself, a rich history. Built as a dwelling house, it went through various phases, serving as a religious and community space, including a period as a nursery and a venue for training courses. After a period of abandonment, it was acquired by the Municipal Council at the end of the 20th century and carefully restored. Its inauguration in 2001 marked the transformation of this heritage into a living space of memory and culture, preserving the identity of Vila de Rei for future generations.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.6757989,-8.1486001
Coordinates DMS: 39°40'32.9"N 08°08'55.0"W
Weather Vila de Rei
On-duty Pharmacy Vila de Rei
