Porto Holocaust Museum

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Porto > Porto > Porto > Campo Alegre

Location

The Porto Holocaust Museum is located in the Campo Alegre area, an urban part of the city of Porto. This location provides the space with a more serene environment, away from the central hustle and bustle, conducive to contemplation and respect for the theme addressed. Its setting, although within a city context, allows for an introspective visit focused on the historical importance of the site.

A Space for Reflection and Memory

Inaugurated in 2021, the Porto Holocaust Museum was established by the Jewish Community of Porto, in collaboration with various international organizations dedicated to preserving the memory of the Holocaust. Its genesis is rooted in the fundamental mission of perpetuating the remembrance of victims and tragic events, ensuring that present and future generations understand the importance of combating hatred and intolerance. This space represents a continuous effort to honor history and reiterate the powerful message of Never Again, educating the public about the dangers of antisemitism and all forms of discrimination.

On the Path of History

As visitors tour the Museum's facilities, they are guided through a comprehensive narrative that explores Jewish life before World War II, the rise of Nazism, its expansion across Europe, and the terror of the ghettos and concentration, labor, and extermination camps. Inside, it is possible to observe a reproduction of the Auschwitz dormitories, a room dedicated to the memory of the victims with their names, and a flame memorial. Exhibition corridors filled with photographs and screens display real footage, contextualizing the tragic events and the subsequent liberation, life in the post-war period, and the founding of the State of Israel, as well as the history of the Righteous Among the Nations who risked their own lives to save others.

The Voices of History

One of the pillars of this museum is the depth of the testimonies it presents. The space is overseen by members of the Jewish Community of Porto whose direct family members were victims of the Holocaust. Through recorded testimonies and the exhibition of personal objects, the museum offers an intimate and poignant perspective on the atrocities experienced. These narratives, often told by the victims themselves or their descendants, lend a human and unforgettable dimension to the visit, reinforcing the urgency that such events must not be repeated and that the lessons of history are always remembered.

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