Municipal Library-Museum Paredes

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Porto > Paredes > Paredes > Madalena

Location

The Paredes Municipal Library-Museum is located in the Madalena area, occupying a prominent position in the center of Paredes. The building stands on a slightly elevated platform, offering a remarkable presence in the area. Its main facade faces José Guilherme Park, a central green space in the town, and is close to the Municipal Council building. Its location makes it a cultural landmark in the heart of Paredes.

A Building with an Educational History

The property housing the current Library-Museum has a long history linked to education. It was built in the mid-19th century, between 1866 and 1867, to function as a primary school. This school was part of a group of educational establishments created through the legacy of Joaquim de Ferreira dos Santos, known as Conde de Ferreira, a benefactor who invested in public instruction. The building was designed according to a uniform plan for these schools and features revivalist architectural characteristics.

Its structure features decorative granite elements, such as the plinth, quoins, and moldings that frame the windows and doors. The main facade, in particular, displays a triangular pediment in the central body and is flanked by small bell towers, where the date of its construction was engraved. The original layout of the internal spaces interestingly reflected the practice of the time of separating students by gender. The building was adapted for its cultural function in 1982 and, after a period in other facilities, returned to its original location in 2012, restored and adapted to modern needs, while maintaining its historical design.

Collections and Exhibitions

The space functions as a unit combining library and museum aspects, offering visitors access to different types of knowledge and heritage. The library area has a significant collection of books, newspapers, and magazines, as well as documents and publications of particular interest to the history and culture of the municipality and the surrounding region. Among the collection is a remarkable historical edition of "Os Lusíadas", re-edited by Emílio Biel.

In the museum section, the venue houses collections that allow visitors to learn more about the past of Paredes and its people. Visitors can observe archaeological pieces, testimonies from bygone eras, as well as examples of traditional costumes and local crafts, which illustrate the community's traditions and trades.

Dynamic Cultural Space

In addition to allowing access to and discovery of its collection and holdings, the Paredes Municipal Library-Museum is a place of constant cultural activity. The space features different rooms, including general reading areas and a section dedicated to children and young adults, as well as a multi-purpose room.

This room and other spaces regularly host various initiatives, such as temporary exhibitions on diverse themes, lectures, literary gatherings, and presentations. These activities contribute to making the Library-Museum a meeting point and a center for sharing information and knowledge in the community, fostering engagement with culture and reflection on different topics.

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