João Soares House-Museum

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Leiria > Leiria > Leiria > Casal Branco

Location

The João Soares House-Museum is located in the municipality of Leiria, more precisely in the Cortes area, in Casal Branco. It is situated in a tranquil area, slightly removed from the urban center, providing a serene environment conducive to contemplation. Its location offers a peaceful contrast to the city's hustle and bustle, inviting visitors to a calmer, more reflective visit.

A Legacy for Democracy

The building housing the João Soares House-Museum, established in 1996, is a center of the Mário Soares and Maria Barroso Foundation. This space is dedicated to promoting culture and education, with a clear focus on the contemporary history of Portugal. Its main purpose is to keep alive the memory and the civic and democratic principles inspired by the lives of João Lopes Soares, Mário Soares, and Maria Barroso, central figures in the construction of Portuguese democracy.

Collections and Historical Journeys

Inside the House-Museum, visitors can explore the long-term exhibition titled Portuguese 20th Century: The Paths of Democracy, João Soares / Mário Soares. This permanent exhibition guides the public through the main moments of the 20th century in Portugal, using photographs, posters, and various documents that illustrate the biographical trajectories of João Lopes Soares and Mário Soares. In addition to this exhibition, the space regularly hosts temporary shows that delve into themes relevant to its mission.

The House-Museum houses a valuable collection of artifacts, with particular emphasis on the gifts received by Mário Soares throughout his public life, namely as Prime Minister and President of the Republic. This collection includes works of art, honorary distinctions, and the academic robes of Mário Soares and Maria Barroso, offering an intimate perspective on their lives and work.

Spaces for Knowledge and Leisure

The site integrates the João Lopes Soares Library, a resource with over 25,000 titles ranging from general reference works to national and foreign authors, and a significant representation of writers from the Leiria region. This is a space for study and discovery for those interested in reading and knowledge.

In addition to the indoor environments, the House-Museum features a remarkable garden, designed by the renowned landscape architect Gonçalo Ribeiro Telles. In this harmonious outdoor space, an open-air amphitheater stands out, and, in a particularly symbolic manner, the car Mário Soares used to travel the country during the electoral campaigns that followed April 25, 1974, a tangible testament to Portugal's recent political history.

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