Parochial Museum of Vinhó

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Guarda > Gouveia > Vinhó

Location

This cultural and religious space is located in the village of Vinhó, municipality of Gouveia. The building is situated on a flat area of the village, bordering one of the main roads that cross the settlement, making it easily accessible.

Historical and Conventual Origins

The Vinhó Parish Museum is housed in a building with a profound history, dating back to the 16th century. Originally, this site housed the Monastery of Madre de Deus (Mother of God), a convent of Poor Clare nuns founded by Francisco de Sousa and D. Antónia de Teive. Over the centuries and with the extinction of religious orders, the old convent gave way to the current parish church.

The museum space itself was created more recently, in an annex attached to the church, with the purpose of preserving and exhibiting sacred art pieces and objects related to the religious life and history of the former convent and the parish.

Artistic Richness of the Interior

The interior of the building, which simultaneously serves as a parish church and the setting for the museum, reveals remarkable artistic heritage. The abundant and detailed gilded woodwork stands out, present in the main and collateral altarpieces, showcasing the grandeur of the Baroque, particularly in the Joanine and National styles. The twisted columns, vegetal elements, and figures of angels enrich the ambiance.

The ceilings of the nave and the chancel deserve particular attention. They are formed by painted wooden coffers, some dating from the late 17th century, which depict religious and hagiographic scenes, offering a glimpse of the original decoration of the conventual space.

Collections and Memories

The collection of the Parish Museum compiles a set of pieces that tell the history of this place and the community's faith. It includes elements of sacred art that have been carefully preserved over time, often by the local population itself. Various works testifying to the richness of the extinct convent are on display.

The building also houses vestiges of its conventual history, such as the chapel dedicated to the Child Jesus or "Tia Baptista", a nun known for her reputation for sanctity and for writing 'trovas' (medieval lyrical poems), whose tomb is located here. The tombs of the convent's founders can also be visited in the chancel.

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