Museum of Transport and Communications

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Porto > Porto > Porto > Centro Histórico

Location:

The museum is situated on the north bank of the Douro River, within the historic city center of Porto. It occupies the old building of the Porto's New Customs House, an imposing riverside construction, integral to the landscape classified by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site. Its position by the river reflects the historical importance of the location for trade and communications.

The Historic Building:

The museum is housed in the Porto's New Customs House Building, a remarkable example of 19th-century neoclassical architecture. Originally designed by the French architect Jean F. Colson, its construction began in the mid-19th century to serve as one of the country's main customs centers. Over time, the building was adapted, with notable interventions by the Portuguese architect Eduardo Souto de Moura, who sought to preserve its historical essence while transforming it into a functional space for current needs.

The Museum's Purpose:

The central objective behind the creation of this museum was to safeguard and present the history and evolution of means of transport and the different forms of communication used by humanity up to the present day. In addition to exploring the impact of these advances on modern society, the museum also assumes the mission of preserving the memory of the very building that hosts it, the historic Customs House space, by making its past and importance known.

The Building's Memory:

One of the permanent exhibitions, titled "Metamorphosis of a Place: Customs House Museum", invites visitors to discover the history of the building that houses the museum. This journey reveals how the space functioned during the times when it was a bustling customs house, showing documents and objects that bear witness to the customs hustle and bustle. It also addresses transformations in the surrounding area, such as the disappearance of the old Miragaia Beach with the building's construction. It is an opportunity to understand the evolution of the site itself.

State Vehicles:

Another prominent exhibition core is "The Engine of the Republic: The Presidents' Cars", which presents a remarkable collection of automobiles that served the Presidents of the Portuguese Republic since the establishment of the Republic in 1910. Through these vehicles, it is possible to follow the technological and symbolic evolution of ceremonial transport over more than a century of republican history, including examples of horse-drawn vehicles used in ceremonies.

Other Journeys and Communications:

The museum also hosts other approaches to the theme of transport and communications. From a vehicle-focused perspective, one can find exhibitions showcasing cars of particular historical relevance, such as the first one to circulate in Portugal or unique domestically manufactured models. There is also a space dedicated to exploring the multiple facets of communication, inviting a more sensorial experience of how we interact and transmit messages.

The Artistic Panel:

A visit to the museum allows for the appreciation of a large-scale work of art with significant local meaning: the "Ribeira Negra" panel, by the renowned painter Júlio Resende. This artistic piece is integrated into the museum space, offering a visual representation of Porto's historic riverside area.

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