Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Évora > Évora > Évora > São Mamede, Sé, São Pedro e Santo Antão
The Centre for Traditional Arts is located in the heart of Évora, occupying the historic building known as the Real Celeiro Comum (Royal Common Granary). It is situated in a central area of the city, an integral part of its classified zone, where urban life harmonizes with a built heritage of great relevance.
The space that houses the Centre for Traditional Arts boasts a rich and unique history. This building is the old Real Celeiro Comum, whose construction dates back to the 18th century. It is notable for being considered the first purpose-built wheat deposit in Portugal. The architecture of the Celeiro Comum, with its Baroque design, lends a particular atmosphere to the site.
This Centre is dedicated to the safeguarding and promotion of the vast artisanal heritage of the Alentejo, with special attention to works originating from the district of Évora. The collection is extensive, comprising over two thousand pieces that represent the diversity of techniques and materials used throughout time. The collection includes everything from agricultural tools and everyday utensils to pieces crafted from pottery, wood, iron, and marble, as well as basketry, cowbells, and traditional blankets.
One of the most notable elements of the collection is a set of valuable Arraiolos Carpets, dating from the early 19th century, which bears witness to the delicacy and complexity of this textile art characteristic of the region.
A visit to the Centre allows for the exploration of handicrafts through different approaches. The permanent exhibition, titled "Marks of Identity," displays a selection of approximately 250 pieces from the collection, offering a representative overview of traditional arts. In addition to this display, the Centre hosts temporary exhibitions, focused on specific themes of Alentejo craftsmanship or on the work of contemporary artisans from the district, vitalizing the presentation of this heritage.
To complement the direct observation of the pieces, multimedia resources are used. Engaging films and digital media illustrate the manufacturing processes of the pieces, identify the artisans and their origins in different municipalities, and contextualize current artisanal production in the region, providing a deeper understanding of these practices.
The Centre for Traditional Arts, in the old Celeiro Comum, positions itself as a reference point for Alentejo popular culture. By giving visibility to the crafts and knowledge passed down through generations of artisans, the space highlights the importance of this dimension of regional identity. It represents a recognition of the legacy left by the hands and creativity of the people of Alentejo, complementing the understanding of Évora's rich history and heritage, which manifests not only in grand works and monuments but also in the trace of daily life and its arts.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.5693301,-7.9083793
Coordinates DMS: 38°34'9.6"N 07°54'30.2"W
Weather Évora
On-duty Pharmacy Évora
