Algarve Regional Museum

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Faro > Faro > Faro > Horta da Areia

Location

The Regional Museum of the Algarve is situated in a central area of Faro city, in the area known as Horta da Areia. Its location facilitates access for those exploring the urban environment of the city, being within walking distance of some of the main pedestrian thoroughfares.

The Memory of the Algarve

Inaugurated in 1962, the Regional Museum of the Algarve is dedicated to preserving and disseminating the rich identity of the Algarve region. The museum was founded and organized by the painter Carlos Porfírio, playing an essential role in understanding the local way of life before the rise of tourism. Its exhibitions aim to build a perspective of Algarve culture and society, with a focus on ethnographic, artistic, and scientific aspects. It is housed in the building that served as the headquarters of the former Provincial Board of the Algarve, today the Faro District Assembly.

A Portrait of Traditional Life

The museum's collections offer an in-depth look at daily life in the Algarve in the first half of the 20th century. Visitors can observe a diversity of objects illustrating the region's economic and domestic activities, such as fishing, agricultural and artisanal work, and home industries. Highlights include recreations of characteristic spaces of a traditional Algarve house and a typical tavern, allowing immersion in the atmosphere of the time. Alongside these elements, the museum displays a photographic selection portraying the various municipalities of the Algarve, complemented by paintings, including works by Carlos Porfírio himself. Furniture, textiles, and regional costumes complete this panorama of the region's material culture.

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