Museum of Sacred Art

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Évora > Évora > Évora > São Mamede, Sé, São Pedro e Santo Antão

Location

The Museum of Sacred Art is located inside the Évora Cathedral, one of the city's most important monuments. Situated in the central area, within the historic district known as São Mamede, Sé, São Pedro and Santo Antão, the museum benefits from the grandeur and architectural context of the Cathedral. Its position within this landmark building allows visitors to explore the collection in an environment deeply connected to the region's history and faith.

Origins and Space

The origin of the Museum of Sacred Art dates back to 1930, when it was formally established as the Cathedral's "Treasury of Sacred Art". The idea was to gather and preserve valuable pieces that were part of the heritage of the Cathedral Chapter. Initially, only a small portion of the collection could be shown, but the desire to display its complete richness led to the expansion of the facilities.

Currently, the museum occupies different areas within the Cathedral building, including parts of the north tower, the upper galleries above the left nave, and a notable Gothic hall located above the sacristy. This journey through various architectural spaces of the Cathedral provides a unique setting for the observation of the works.

The Collection

The museum's collection is composed of a vast set of pieces representing the artistic and religious heritage accumulated by the Évora Cathedral over the centuries. The collection is organized into different sections, covering various artistic typologies.

Visitors will find sections dedicated to sculpture, painting, paraments (embroidered liturgical vestments), furniture, and goldsmithery. This diversity offers a comprehensive perspective on the evolution of sacred art and the importance of the pieces in worship and the history of the Évora church.

Treasures in Highlight

Among the exhibited works, some pieces possess exceptional historical and artistic value. In the sculpture section, one of the most notable pieces is the image of Our Lady of Paradise, a 14th-century Gothic triptych of Parisian origin, considered unique in the Iberian Peninsula. There are also other interesting stone and terracotta sculptures.

Goldsmithery is one of the highlights of the visit, recognized as the most valuable collection in Alentejo. It includes pieces of great richness and craftsmanship, such as the famous Reliquary Cross of the Holy Wood, ornamented with numerous precious stones, the Monstrance-Chalice in Gothic-Plateresque style of Cardinal D. Afonso, or the Crozier that belonged to Cardinal-King D. Henrique. The museum also presents a rich collection of paintings, including altarpieces from the 16th to 18th centuries, and a vast display of paraments from different origins and eras, showcasing the art of liturgical embroidery.

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