School of Traditional Popular Toys

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Coimbra > Coimbra > Loureiro > Cernache

Location

The School of Traditional Popular Toys is located in the village of Loureiro, a locality integrated into the parish of Cernache, municipality of Coimbra. This space is established in the premises of the village's old primary school, which gives it a unique and authentic atmosphere, transporting the visitor to an atmosphere of simplicity and memory, characteristic of a Portuguese rural context.

Loureiro, situated in an area further away from Coimbra's urban center, offers a serene and traditional environment, providing a different perspective of the region, far from the city's hustle and bustle. The School's location in the old primary school reinforces its connection to education and childhood, central elements of its mission.

The Legacy of Traditional Toys

This space is dedicated to the fundamental work of rescuing, researching, and valuing a forgotten part of Portuguese cultural heritage: traditional toys. The focus is on those toys that, in the past, were created by children themselves, or with the help of family and neighbors, using materials found in nature and everyday household waste.

The School's purpose is to disseminate the richness and ingenuity of these playful objects, which reflect a time when play was intrinsically linked to creativity and the ability to build with what was available. This effort preserves the memory of a childhood marked by autonomy and imagination in creating one's own amusements.

An Encounter with Creativity

At the School of Traditional Popular Toys, visitors are invited to explore a permanent exhibition that includes several dozens of original pieces and photographs. Each exhibited object tells a story, offering a glimpse into the playful practices of past generations and the ingenuity behind each toy.

The experience of visiting this place provides a journey back in time, evoking memories for those who experienced a similar childhood, while inspiring a new generation to recognize the value of playing with simplicity and creating with their own hands. It is an invitation to discover how children used to amuse themselves, valuing the right to play and, simultaneously, the right to produce their own toys.

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