Ethnology Museum of Porto

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Porto > Porto > Porto > Centro Histórico

Location

The building that housed the Porto Ethnology Museum is located in the heart of the city's Historic Center. It faces Largo de São João Novo, an area with a strong historical and urban character. The site includes a large courtyard, or garden, which develops on a slope and features levels connected by granite stairs and walkways, offering a distinct environment in the city's central area.

To the west, the property borders a segment of the old city wall, a historical element that frames the space and recalls Porto's medieval past. The palace's position defines one of the square's corners, integrating into the classified urban fabric of the historic center.

The Historic Palace

The Porto Ethnology Museum was housed in the Palácio de São João Novo, a noble Baroque-style house built in the 18th century by order of Pedro Costa Lima. This building is recognized for its architectural value and classified as a Property of Public Interest.

The palace's main facade features remarkable decorative richness in its windows and doors. Inside, a striking central three-flight staircase stands out, occupying a large part of the hall and considered an element of great scenic effect, reflecting the style and grandeur of the era in which it was built.

A Museum Past

The Palácio de São João Novo was adapted for museum functions and inaugurated as the Porto Ethnology Museum in 1945. Its original collection, organized by the ethnographer Dr. Pedro Vitorino, was dedicated to regional pieces and sought to recreate environments that mirrored the traditions and way of life of the Porto and Northern Portugal region.

However, it is important to note that the Porto Ethnology Museum is currently deactivated. The building awaits rehabilitation work, and the collection's pieces have been transferred to other locations to be properly preserved during this period.

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