Fresco Museum

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Évora > Reguengos de Monsaraz > Monsaraz > Centro Histórico

Location

The Fresco Museum is located in the heart of the Historic Centre of Monsaraz, a beautiful walled village in the municipality of Reguengos de Monsaraz. The building is situated on the eastern façade of Rua Direita, one of the main and most picturesque streets in the locality, fitting harmoniously into the medieval urban fabric and inviting visitors to explore the village on foot.

Former Administrative Heart

This building, one of the noblest and most representative of old Monsaraz, is known as the Former Audience Chambers (Antigos Paços de Audiência). Its construction dates back to the second quarter of the 14th century, during the reigns of D. Dinis and D. Afonso IV, accompanying the administrative and economic development of the village. Over the centuries, it served various functions, including that of a district prison. Although it lost its municipal functions in the late 17th century and suffered considerable damage from the 1755 earthquake, its structure preserves the memory of a past of great importance for the region.

The Allegory of Justice in the Fresco

Inside the museum, the main highlight is a 16th-century fresco of unusual interest, rediscovered in 1958 during refurbishment works. For centuries, this work was hidden by a brick partition, and today it is a rare example in Portugal due to its profane theme. The painting, located in the Courtroom, represents a complex allegory of earthly justice. The central panel displays the figures of the Good and the Bad Judge, which illustrate the dualities of human impartiality and corruption. The Good Judge holds the straight rod of justice with dignity, contrasting with the Bad Judge, who appears with a double face and a broken rod of justice. Figures such as Mercy and perversion, the latter symbolized by a demon's head, complement this visual representation of morality and equity.

Window to Local History

Since 2010, the Fresco Museum has hosted annual thematic exhibitions. These exhibitions provide visitors with a deeper insight into the history and culture of the Alentejo region, complementing the experience of visiting the building and its main artwork. The exhibitions allow for a more comprehensive engagement with local heritage, enriching the understanding of the context in which the village of Monsaraz developed over the centuries.

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