Berardo Estremoz Museum / Henriques Palace

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Évora > Estremoz > Estremoz > Santo André

Location

The Berardo Estremoz Museum, headquartered in the historic Henriques Palace, also known as Tocha Palace, is located in the heart of the city of Estremoz. Situated in the Santo André area, this imposing building is integrated into the central urban fabric, offering an easily accessible cultural experience for visitors to the Alentejo locality.

A Palace with History

The building that houses the Berardo Estremoz Museum is, in itself, a piece of great value. Previously known as Henriques Palace or Tocha Palace, this historic construction was carefully adapted to house the collection but retains its original features. Inside, it is possible to admire tile panels that belong to its own history, with notable examples of the late Baroque and Rococo styles, which enrich the visitor's experience of the museum.

The ascent to the upper floor of the palace is made via a majestic staircase, entirely constructed from Estremoz marble. This staircase is adorned with tile panels dating from the mid-18th century, which prepare the visitor for the artistic richness that awaits them on the upper floors, where the most noble area of the former residence was located.

The Tile Collection: A Journey Through Time

The Berardo Estremoz Museum is exclusively dedicated to the art of tilework, offering one of the most important and vast private collections of tiles in Portugal. Through over 4500 specimens, the museum provides a comprehensive view of the evolution of tilework, from the 13th century to the present day, highlighting the profound influence of Islamic culture on this Portuguese artistic expression.

The exhibition in the museum guides the visitor through a narrative spanning eight centuries of tilework. The route includes a notable collection of Spanish tilework, showing the progression of techniques such as corda seca, aresta, and majolica, as well as alicatado. Regarding Portuguese tilework, a tile panel with the Marvila pattern stands out, which, with its dimensions, represents the largest of its kind designed worldwide. The museum also explores secular art through the so-called "Macacarias," which feature satirical scenes protagonized by monkeys.

The collection showcases the transition of Portuguese tiles, which by the end of the 17th century became predominantly painted in blue. The 18th century is marked by the "Cycle of Masters," where tile painters achieved the status of artists, with works by figures such as Manuel dos Santos, Mestre Teotónio dos Santos, and Nicolau de Freitas. The museum also presents the period of the "Return to Color," with extraordinary cut tiles, and the strong presence of the Rococo style. In addition to these, the manifestations of Neoclassicism, Pombaline tiles, and the Revivalist and Nationalist influences of the 19th and 20th centuries are visible, culminating with industrial patterning and major contemporary artists.

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