Weaving Museum

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Guarda > Guarda > Meios

Location

Meios is a village in the municipality of Guarda, situated in a rural environment characteristic of Portugal's interior region. Its landscape, punctuated by mountainous elements, reflects the authenticity of a community that has maintained a strong connection to traditional activities over time. It is in this tranquil and genuine setting that the museum is located, naturally integrating into the memory and daily life of a people once highly dependent on pastoralism and wool.

A Journey into the Tradition of Wool

This museum invites visitors to immerse themselves in the ancestral art of weaving, a craft that profoundly marked local history and economy. The space occupies an old weaving factory, a detail that in itself lends undeniable authenticity to the visitor experience. Through its collection, it is possible to understand the intricate journey of wool, from sheep shearing and the practices of pastoralism and transhumance, to its transformation into finished products. The museum documents the importance of the wool industry, a pillar that sustained and shaped the lives of generations in the region.

The Space for Creation and Learning

The museum's collection primarily consists of instruments and artifacts related to textile production, notably the handlooms that were used in the making of pieces such as blankets and the typical 'cobertores de papa' blankets. More than just a static exhibition space, the Meios Weaving Museum functions as a true weaving workshop. This approach allows visitors to observe the dynamics of manual production, often with real-time demonstrations by a weaver. This living element makes the visit particularly engaging, offering a practical and pedagogical perspective on the techniques and mastery required to create these traditional textiles.

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