Dr. José Formosinho Municipal Museum

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Faro > Lagos > Lagos > Bairro Operário

Location:

The Dr. José Formosinho Municipal Museum is located in the heart of Lagos' historic city center. This central location makes it easily accessible for those exploring the streets of the historic area on foot.

An integral part of the visit is the remarkable Church of Santo António, to which the museum is physically connected, creating a route that combines civil and religious history.

The Collections of a Passionate Historian

Founded in 1930 by Dr. José Formosinho, a notary and amateur archaeologist, this museum was born from the desire to preserve and share the remnants of the rich history and culture of the Western Algarve region. Over time, the collection has grown significantly.

The museum's rooms house diverse collections, with particular emphasis on archaeology, which reveals ancient artifacts from various periods, and ethnography, which documents the traditional activities and knowledge of the Algarve.

The Splendor of the Church of Santo António

Integrated into the museum route, the Church of Santo António is a central point of the visit. This temple, rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake, is considered one of the most remarkable examples of Baroque architecture in southern Portugal.

The interior dazzles with the opulence of the gilded carving that adorns much of the space, complemented by tile panels and 18th-century paintings. In the sacristy, it is possible to appreciate a collection of sacred art that includes pieces of great historical and artistic value, such as ancient vestments.

A Cabinet of Curiosities and Other Treasures

In addition to the main collections, the museum features a special "Cabinet of Curiosities". This space gathers unusual and surprising objects, many of them donated over the years, which reflect a passion for collecting and an interest in the rare.

Other collections explore themes such as numismatics, historical weapons, and memories of the colonial period. Recovered architectural elements, such as parts of the old Pelourinho (Pillory) of Lagos or Manueline windows, are also integrated into the museum space, enriching the visitor's visual and historical experience.

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