Guard Museum

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Guarda > Guarda > Guarda > Judiária

Location

The Guarda Museum is located in the heart of the city, in a central area corresponding to the old Jewish Quarter. It is housed in an architectural complex that occupies the space of the former Episcopal Seminary and part of the former Episcopal Palace.

Located on Rua General Alves Roçadas, the museum benefits from a central position in the city, which is known for being the highest in Portugal.

The Historic Building

The building housing the museum has a long history, dating back to 1601, the year when the construction of the old Episcopal Seminary began at the initiative of D. Nuno de Noronha, then Bishop of Guarda. This complex also includes parts of the former Episcopal Palace.

The architecture of the main building fits into the 17th-century Mannerist style. One of its notable elements is the inner courtyard with arches and columns, reflecting the characteristics of its construction era.

The Collection and Collections

The Guarda Museum is dedicated to safeguarding and presenting a diverse set of pieces that tell the history and culture of the region. The permanent and temporary collections offer a journey through the local heritage.

The collection includes archaeological findings dating back to very ancient times, numismatics, sacred art (sculpture and painting from the 13th to 18th centuries), armory, ceramics, and pieces related to regional ethnography. Visitors can, for example, observe an ancient biface approximately 100,000 years old or historical documents such as the Manueline charters of the city and Jarmelo. The permanent exhibition is organized chronologically, allowing visitors to follow the historical evolution of the Guarda region.

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