Beatriz Costa Popular Museum

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Museum

District: Lisboa > Mafra > Malveira > Malveira e São Miguel de Alcainça

Location

The Beatriz Costa Popular Museum is located in the town of Malveira, part of the municipality of Mafra. It is housed in the Malveira House of Culture building, a central space in the urban area of the village, situated in Largo da Feira.

A Deep Connection

The creation of this museum is largely due to a wish expressed by Beatriz Costa herself. The renowned Portuguese actress, known for her long and brilliant career in 20th-century theatre and cinema, expressed the desire for many of her belongings to be donated to the people of Malveira, a town for which she held special affection. This local initiative, born from a group of young people and with community support, fulfilled her wish, giving rise to this space of homage.

With the inauguration of the Malveira House of Culture, the museum's collection was transferred to this new building, more suitable for housing and exhibiting the actress's estate. The way of presenting her story and legacy was then rethought, in the permanent exhibition titled "Beatriz Costa: the Saloia Diva", which seeks to show the artist's strong connection to this region.

The Collection and Exhibits

The museum offers a portrait of Beatriz Costa's life and career through the exhibition of various objects that belonged to her. Visitors can find a selection of personal belongings, travel souvenirs, and gifts received from friends and admirers throughout a life dedicated to the performing arts.

One of the most curious and appreciated aspects of the collection are her unique collections of dolls and donkeys, which bear witness to her tastes and passions. The collection also includes an important documentary archive with photographs, personal correspondence, and press clippings, essential elements for gaining a detailed understanding of her biography and the impact of her career. For conservation reasons, this documentary section is presented to visitors in video format.