Fernando de Castro House Museum

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Porto > Porto > Porto

Location

Located in the city of Porto, the Casa Museu Fernando de Castro is situated in the Aval de Baixo area. This location, a little removed from the bustling historic center, reflects a choice made at the time of its construction for a quieter or more distinct environment, offering visitors a different perspective of the city.

Origins of the House and the Collector

This building was the residence of a family that cultivated a great appreciation for art and collecting over several decades. The name that christens the house-museum belongs to Fernando de Castro, who was not only a collector, but also a dealer, poet, artist, and caricaturist. It was his wish that his house and the collections gathered there would, in the future, be accessible to the public.

After his passing, his sister and last heir, Maria da Luz de Araújo Castro, realized this wish. The donation of the property and all its contents to the State allowed for the creation of this space. Since the early 1950s, the Casa Museu Fernando de Castro has been integrated into the structure of the Soares dos Reis National Museum.

A Unique Environment

Entering the Casa Museu is immersing oneself in an environment that evokes the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The interior decoration is markedly revivalist, with an opulence that stands out in the abundant use of wood carving, both in wainscoting and in the elaborate coffered ceilings.

The space is enriched with period mirrors, selected furniture, characteristic wallpapers, and lighting pieces such as chandeliers and lanterns. This combination gives the house a unique "antiquarian spirit," being considered one of the few preserved examples of late Romanticism in the city of Porto.

The Collection

The various rooms of the Casa Museu Fernando de Castro house the collections gathered by the family. The collection is varied, with a special emphasis on religious art, featuring both erudite works and popular pieces. There is also a core collection of Portuguese naturalist painting and various pieces of decorative arts.

A distinctive aspect of the collection is the set of caricature works and some books written by Fernando de Castro himself, revealing his artistic and literary flair. The organization and arrangement of the objects inside the house largely maintain the configuration left by Fernando de Castro's sister.

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