Museum of Christs

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Museum

District: Portalegre > Sousel > Sousel

Location

The Museum of Christs is located in the centre of the village of Sousel, in a space steeped in history. It is specifically situated in Largo do Convento, a central area of the locality. Being in this area allows for easy integration into the discovery of the village and its surroundings.

A Collection with History

The museum's collection is based on the private collection of Venceslau Lobo, an antiques dealer from the Borba region. Over many years, this collector gathered a large number of images of Christ, with different characteristics and origins.

In 1990, the Municipality of Sousel acquired this collection from Venceslau Lobo's family, ensuring its preservation and paving the way for the creation of this dedicated museological space.

The Vast Collection

Visitors to the museum have the opportunity to observe a remarkable collection of 1486 pieces. This collection is vast and varied, featuring images of Christ of various typologies, materials, and eras. It is a portrait of devotional imagery, an artistic and religious genre widely present in Portuguese culture.

The exhibited pieces are not limited to Portugal; they also include specimens originating from Africa, the Indo-Portuguese context, the Holy Land, and various other regions of Europe, showcasing the diversity and scope of this collection.

The Museum Today

The space housing the collection was inaugurated and opened to the public on April 24, 2019. Since then, the Museum of Christs of Sousel has operated under the management and administrative dependency of the Municipality of Sousel, establishing itself as a point of cultural and patrimonial interest in the village.