Museum of Sacred Art of the Cathedral of Évora

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Évora > Évora > Évora > Sé e São Pedro

Location

The Museum of Sacred Art is located in the central area of Évora, in the vicinity of the Cathedral (Sé) and São Pedro. It is housed within the imposing Évora Cathedral, benefiting from its elevated and prominent position in the urban landscape, at the heart of the city's historic center.

When visiting the museum, one has the opportunity to explore areas integrated into the Cathedral complex, one of Évora's most significant buildings, and experience the historical and religious atmosphere that characterizes it.

A Treasure That Grew

The origin of the Museum of Sacred Art dates back to the mid-20th century, when a "Treasure of Sacred Art" began to be gathered and organized using the Cathedral's heritage. The intention was to preserve and make accessible to the public objects of artistic and historical value that were dispersed or stored.

Over time, the vastness and importance of this collection became apparent, leading to the decision to create a more comprehensive museum, capable of housing a greater number of pieces. The process of adapting various rooms inside the Cathedral itself to accommodate the collections was an endeavor that developed over several years, finally allowing for the presentation of a more representative collection of sacred heritage.

A Rich and Diverse Collection

The museum houses a significant collection of sacred art, distributed across various sections including sculpture, painting, goldsmithery, paraments, and furniture. The exhibited works span centuries of history, reflecting the artistic evolution and religious life of the Cathedral and the Diocese of Évora.

Among the highlights is the sculpture Virgem do Paraíso, a remarkable 14th-century Gothic triptych, considered a unique piece in the Iberian Peninsula. The painting collection includes works from different periods and styles. In the goldsmithery section, a particularly rich area of the museum, one can admire highly valuable gold and silver pieces, such as the Cruz-relicário do Santo Lenho, decorated with numerous precious stones, and other liturgical artifacts that attest to the mastery of goldsmiths throughout the centuries. The paraments section features richly adorned liturgical vestments, with embroideries and fabrics of diverse origins.

The Museum Rooms

The experience of visiting the museum is enriched by the beauty and uniqueness of the spaces where the collections are displayed. The museum occupies several rooms inside the Cathedral, each with its architectural particularities.

Some of these rooms feature architectural elements that combine Romanesque and Gothic styles. Particularly noteworthy is a beautiful Gothic room, located above the sacristy, which provides a special environment for contemplating the most valuable pieces, especially from the goldsmithery collection. Walking through these rooms allows visitors to appreciate the collection in an authentic historical context, integrated into the very structure of the Cathedral.

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