Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Leiria > Marinha Grande > Marinha Grande > Guarda Nova
The Glass Museum is located in Marinha Grande, within the area known as Guarda Nova. This special place is situated within the historic perimeter of the old Royal Glass Factory, where the glassmaking activity that defines the city's identity flourished over centuries.
Its position within the urban fabric of Marinha Grande makes it a central reference point for understanding the industrial and cultural roots of the locality.
The museum is housed in a building of great architectural and historical value: the Stephens Palace. Built in the second half of the 18th century, around 1770, this palace was the residence of William Stephens, an English industrialist whose influence was crucial for the development of the glass industry in Portugal.
The building stands out for its classical language, visible in its design and imposing main facade, testifying to the importance and status of its first owner.
The history of the Glass Museum is deeply intertwined with the very history of the glass industry in Marinha Grande. It was on this site, starting in 1769, that William Stephens, after acquiring the existing old factory, relaunched glass production under the protection of a royal charter and with the support of the Marquis of Pombal, using the abundant firewood from the Leiria Pine Forest.
The revitalization of the Royal Glass Factory, driven by Stephens and continued by his brother, João Diogo, cemented Marinha Grande's vocation as a national glassmaking center, a legacy that the museum is dedicated to preserving and disseminating.
Inside the Glass Museum, visitors have the opportunity to explore a vast and diverse collection. The collection features pieces that document the evolution of Portuguese glass production over more than 250 years, from the 17th/18th centuries to contemporary times.
It is possible to admire artistic glass panes, ancient glass pieces dating back to the factory's foundational times, as well as admirable sets of cut crystal, including goblets, jars, and large vases, and other pieces that demonstrate the technical and artistic mastery achieved. The collection gathers examples of industrial, artisanal, and artistic manufacture, originating from various national production centers.
In addition to the permanent exhibition, the museum acts as an institution dedicated to safeguarding glass heritage. Its attributions include the collection, study, conservation, and dissemination of the cultural and technical legacy linked to glass, both in the local context of Marinha Grande and at a national level.
Although the idea for its creation dates back to 1954, the Glass Museum became a reality in 1998, coinciding with the celebration of 250 years of the glass industry in the city. It is recognized as one of the most important centers in Portugal for the valorization and knowledge of glass art and industry.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.749498,-8.933306
Coordinates DMS: 39°44'58.2"N 08°55'59.9"W
Weather Marinha Grande
On-duty Pharmacy Marinha Grande
