Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Leiria > Ansião > Santiago da Guarda > Granja
The Museum of Fossils is situated in Granja, an area that is part of the locality of Santiago da Guarda, belonging to the municipality of Ansião. Its location is characterized by a tranquil, rural environment, where the museum building is integrated into the fabric of a village with history, providing a serene and authentic setting.
This museum is housed in a building dating back to the 17th century, an example of traditional architecture that has been carefully preserved. Its restoration allowed not only for the accommodation of the collections but also for keeping alive the memory of a construction style that marks the identity of the region. The building's structure itself offers a perspective on life in past eras.
At the heart of the museum lies a valuable paleontological collection. The collection consists of marine fossils, estimated to be around 150 million years old, originating from the Sicó territory. These findings reveal the depths of the region's prehistory, offering a glimpse into the life that existed long before human presence.
Beyond the geological testimonies, the museum offers a journey back in time to rural life in the 19th and 20th centuries. Visitors can explore a kitchen and a bedroom, both maintained in their traditional appearance, filled with objects that illustrate the daily life and trades of a village. This ethnographic section showcases the arts and crafts that shaped local life, such as those of the carpenter, shoemaker, or blacksmith.
The creation of this space is largely due to the initiative and dedication of Father Armando Olívio Duarte. Born in the municipality of Ansião, and parish priest in Santiago da Guarda, it was he who gathered a vast and important quantity of paleontological material. His cultural, archaeological, and historical spirit, combined with the desire to share this heritage, culminated in the museum's inauguration in 2007, making a unique exhibition of the region's fossil and ethnographic heritage accessible to the public.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.9607903,-8.4694959
Coordinates DMS: 39°57'38.8"N 08°28'10.2"W
Weather Santiago da Guarda
On-duty Pharmacy Santiago da Guarda
