Fernanda Botelho Memory-House

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Lisboa > Cadaval > Vermelha > O Sítio

Location

The Fernanda Botelho House-Memory is located in the village of Vermelha, in the municipality of Cadaval. Set within a tranquil, rural environment, this house reflects the atmosphere the writer sought for her final years of life, away from the city's pace and closer to the countryside's serenity, which greatly influenced her writing.

A Literary Legacy

This space is dedicated to Fernanda Botelho (1926-2007), a prominent figure in 20th-century Portuguese literature. Known for her poetry and, above all, her novels, the author left an extensive and award-winning body of work. Among her distinctions are awards such as the Camilo Castelo Branco Prize and the Grand Prize for Novel from the Portuguese Writers' Association.

Life and Work at the House in Vermelha

It was in this dwelling that Fernanda Botelho decided to live the last decade of her life. Her search for a quieter place to dedicate herself to writing led her to this small village. During this period, the house witnessed the creation of important works, such as the novel As Contadoras de Histórias, where references to local daily life can be detected, and her last book, Os Gritos da Minha Dança. Her life in the countryside, combined with her constant social interaction, shaped the atmosphere of culture and literary production that the house evokes.

The Personal Collection

The House-Memory's mission is to preserve and share the writer's literary and personal heritage. A tour through the house allows visitors to glimpse Fernanda Botelho's daily life and creative process. It is possible to observe her vast private library, with approximately five thousand books, as well as various personal objects that accompanied her, such as pens, cameras, her manuscripts, correspondence, and the various awards received. Her remarkable documentary spirit ensured that this collection was carefully organized, offering an authentic glimpse into her life and artistic journey.

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