Museum of the Vila Franca de Xira Hospital

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Lisboa > Vila Franca de Xira > Vila Franca de Xira > Povos

Location

The Museum of the Hospital of Vila Franca de Xira is located in the town of Vila Franca de Xira, in the area known as Povos. This cultural space is integrated within the Hospital's own facilities, specifically on the ground floor, which provides direct access to its collection and exhibition route.

A Journey Through the History of Health

This space was conceived with the purpose of preserving and revealing the rich past of the Hospital of Vila Franca de Xira. By exploring its areas, visitors are invited on a journey through time via a chronological timeline that illustrates the institution's evolution. It is an opportunity to understand the role and development of medical and hospital care in the region throughout the centuries.

The Collection and Its Pieces

The museum's collection comprises a diversity of objects reflecting clinical and hospital practice of yesteryear. It includes a variety of medical equipment and instruments that were used over the decades. One of the highlights is the recreation of a surgical room, which transports visitors to the environment of an operating theatre between the 1950s and 1970s, offering an authentic perspective on the procedures of the time.

Documentary Records

Among the most significant documents preserved by the museum is a replica of the oldest known record about the hospital: the Alvará D’El Rei D. Sebastião (Royal Charter of King Sebastian). This important document, dated February 12, 1563, a copy of which was provided by the National Archive of Torre do Tombo, underscores the hospital's long history and relevance. The space also features reproductions of other historical documents from the Municipal Archive of Vila Franca de Xira, complementing the narrative.

The Visitor Experience

The museum offers an interactive component, inviting a more dynamic way of discovery and engagement with the content. This dimension allows visitors to delve deeper into the presented themes in an engaging manner, making the visit an informative and captivating experience.

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