Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Leiria > Batalha > Batalha > Urbanização do Pinhal Manso
The Batalha Municipal Community Museum is located in Urbanização do Pinhal Manso, in the centre of Batalha town. This strategic placement integrates the museum into the daily life of the locality, making it a natural meeting point to explore the history and identity of the municipality.
Distinct for its method, this museum offers an experience that goes beyond the traditional exhibition of objects. It adopts a dynamic perspective, known as New Museology and Sociomuseology, which places the community at the centre of its narrative. The objective is to value the identity and history of the Batalha municipality and its people, functioning as an active cultural centre where a living heritage is researched, conserved, and disseminated. The quality of its proposal was recognised with the distinction of Best Portuguese Museum in 2012 by APOM, Portuguese Museology Association, and with the prestigious Kenneth Hudson Award in 2013, at an international level.
The exhibition itinerary invites visitors on a vast journey through time, spanning approximately 250 million years. It begins with the territory's most remote origins, exploring its geological formations and the first paleontological and archaeological traces. This is followed by the narrative of historical and artistic milestones, from the presence of the first humans, through the Roman era, to decisive moments such as the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385 and the subsequent construction of the Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória, a central element in Batalha's identity. Visitors can follow the evolution of the region, its transformations, and the progressive construction of the municipality's autonomy and identity up to the present day.
The museum invites visitors to explore the relationship between the community and its territory, with a focus on biodiversity and environmental sustainability. Through interactive and multimedia elements, essential themes such as air, earth, fire, and water are addressed, highlighting the importance of preserving natural resources. A space dedicated to present-day Batalha allows visitors to learn about its cultural and natural routes, as well as the experiences of its people. The museum also functions as a hub for community activities, hosting temporary exhibitions developed with the active participation of residents. To ensure information is accessible to everyone, the space is equipped with technical aids and solutions that promote inclusion.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.6577227,-8.8249366
Coordinates DMS: 39°39'27.8"N 08°49'29.8"W
Weather Batalha
On-duty Pharmacy Batalha
