Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Leiria > Nazaré > Nazaré > Sítio da Nazaré
The Dr. Joaquim Manso Museum is located in the highest area of Nazaré, known as the Sítio. This location offers a different perspective of the village, being close to the famous Promontory and the historical and religious buildings that mark this area. It is a place with a strong connection to local history and legends.
This museum is housed in a building that once served as the summer residence of Dr. Joaquim Manso, a renowned writer and journalist. The building, dating from the early 20th century, was generously donated to the State by Amadeu Gaudêncio to be transformed into a museum space. It opened its doors to the public in 1976, adapting the house's original atmosphere to accommodate its collections.
The main purpose of the Dr. Joaquim Manso Museum is to present the cultural and historical identity of the Nazaré region, with a clear focus on its deep relationship with the sea. Through its collection, the museum seeks to show the evolution of life on this coast over the centuries, from the first human traces to the most recent traditions linked to maritime activities.
Upon exploring the museum, visitors are led through a journey spanning various epochs. It begins with archaeological testimonies of human presence, including finds from the Paleolithic, Neolithic, and the Bronze and Iron Ages, as well as the Roman and Paleo-Christian periods, with emphasis on elements associated with the ancient Church of S. Gião. Also found is a 15th-century sculpture of S. Sebastião, from the same location. The museum recalls the historical importance of Pederneira, the medieval village that preceded Nazaré as a center of activity in the region, with its port and naval shipyards. A special space is dedicated to the cult of Our Lady of Nazaré and the famous Legend of D. Fuas Roupinho, presenting iconography related to this miracle.
A significant part of the exhibition focuses on maritime ethnography. It is possible to observe a collection of miniatures representing the traditional boats that sailed the coast of Nazaré. The work and life of the fishing communities are portrayed, including the fishing techniques used over time. One of the most distinctive aspects presented is the traditional costume of Nazaré, displayed in its work, festive, and mourning variants, highlighting the richness of fabric patterns and, particularly, the characteristic use of multiple skirts by women.
The museum complements its objects with artistic and documentary representations. Paintings and sculptures illustrate the village and its inhabitants, showing how Nazaré inspired various artists. An interesting part is dedicated to the photography of Álvaro Laborinho, who captured authentic moments of Nazaré's daily life in the first half of the 20th century. In the museum's outdoor garden, some larger pieces of equipment related to maritime activities are exhibited, as well as examples of full-sized traditional boats, offering direct contact with the gear used by the fishing community.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.6063821,-9.0762846
Coordinates DMS: 39°36'23.0"N 09°04'34.6"W
Weather Nazaré
On-duty Pharmacy Nazaré
