João de Deus House Museum

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa

Location

Located on Avenida Álvares Cabral, in the Pena area of Lisbon, the Museum House is situated in an urban area rich in history. It is found on a tree-lined avenue with a relatively peaceful atmosphere, despite its central location in the city.

A Legacy in Portuguese Education

This space is dedicated to the memory of João de Deus, a prominent 19th-century figure in Portugal. A poet and pedagogue, he became especially known for his contribution to teaching reading. His most emblematic work, the "Cartilha Maternal" (Maternal Primer), was an innovative method that influenced generations, at a time when literacy was a significant challenge in the country.

The Space and Collections

The Museum House, designed by architect Raul Lino, also houses paintings by Leal da Câmara. Inside, visitors can explore a diverse collection. It includes objects that belonged to João de Deus and his son, João de Deus Ramos, as well as works of art, such as plaster casts.

One of the central points is the historical library, with a vast collection focused on Education Sciences, but also covering History and Literature. It features an important collection of methods for learning to read and calculate, reflecting João de Deus's pedagogical legacy.

The Origin of a Cultural Project

Inaugurated in 1917, after the Establishment of the Republic, the creation of this Museum House was a project driven by a group of Republicans, in collaboration with João de Deus Ramos and Afonso Lopes Vieira. The idea was twofold: to pay homage to João de Deus as a poet and pedagogue, and to establish a library supporting Portuguese culture.

The buildings comprising the Museum House and the associated Garden-School have been classified as Monuments of Public Interest, a recognition of their historical and cultural importance in the context of education and architecture in Portugal.

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