Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Évora > Vendas Novas > Vendas Novas > Bairro Doutor Luis Manuel da Silva Viana de Sá
The museum is located in the city of Vendas Novas, integrated into the area designated as Bairro Doutor Luis Manuel da Silva Viana de Sá. It is situated within the perimeter of the former military facilities that housed the Practical Artillery School, a space with strong historical ties to the Royal Palace of Vendas Novas.
The history of the site where the museum is located has its roots in the 18th century, when D. João V ordered the construction of the Royal Palace of Vendas Novas. This palace was built to serve as a setting for marriages between members of the Portuguese and Spanish royal families. In the 19th century, Queen D. Maria II handed the palace over to the Ministry of War, initiating a new phase in its history.
It was by determination of D. Pedro V that studies began into the possibility of establishing a military institution there. This process culminated, in 1861, with the creation of the Practical Artillery School (EPA), dedicated to training in this Army branch. The School operated within this historical complex for many decades, serving as a pillar in Portuguese military instruction, until its deactivation in 2013.
The Museum of the Practical Artillery School invites visitors on a journey through the history of artillery in Portugal. Its collection is distributed across a vast outdoor area and a set of interior spaces, totaling eight exhibition rooms. Outdoors, it is possible to observe artillery pieces from various periods, while indoors, visitors can discover artifacts, documents, and historical items that illustrate the evolution of the weapon and the daily life of the School itself.
This museum space serves as a guardian of the memory of the Practical Artillery School and the significance of the Artillery branch in the Portuguese military context. The visit allows one to understand the crucial role that the EPA played in training generations of officers and sergeants, and how its former facilities continue today to tell an important part of the military and local history of Vendas Novas.
Upon exploring the museum, visitors find themselves surrounded by buildings and elements that were part of the former School's complex. Noteworthy are the Military Chapel, a place of worship and remembrance, and the imposing Gate of Arms, which marked the entrance to the military compound. An element of particular interest is the statue of Saint Barbara, the patron saint of Artillerists, a work by the renowned sculptor Hélder Batista, a native of Vendas Novas. These constructions and the artistic work help to contextualize the visit, immersing visitors in the historical atmosphere of the former School.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.6784736,-8.4568853
Coordinates DMS: 38°40'42.5"N 08°27'24.8"W
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