Porto Military Museum

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Porto > Porto > Porto > Bom Retiro

Location

The Military Museum of Porto is located in the Bom Retiro area, in the city of Porto. It is situated on Rua do Heroísmo, standing out in the area that converges towards Largo de Soares de Reis.

Its urban position places it within a city fabric with its own history, making it an accessible point of interest for those exploring this part of the city.

Architecture and Building's Past

The building housing the museum is a late 19th-century construction, originally conceived as a family residence. It features a classical language characteristic of the era, with facades combining elements of exposed granite ashlar and white plastered wall sections.

In addition to its architectural value, the property has a striking and complex history. Before becoming a museum, it housed a community of Spanish nuns and, later, served as the Porto delegation of the International and State Defense Police (PIDE/DGS). A plaque on the facade marks this period, commemorating those who suffered there. Attached to the main building is an 18th-century chapel with simple lines, dated 1724.

Military Collection

The museum preserves and disseminates Portuguese military history through a vast collection. It includes light weaponry, uniforms, and various military equipment illustrating different periods and aspects of military life.

It is also possible to observe heavy artillery, with cannons spanning a period from the 15th to the 20th centuries. The collection also includes a range of bladed weapons and firearms demonstrating the evolution of military technology.

The Miniature Collection

One of the highlights of the Military Museum of Porto is its remarkable collection of miniature soldiers. This collection comprises approximately 16,000 figures depicting the evolution of the soldier from prehistory to the present day.

The miniatures, sourced from renowned European factories, offer a unique and detailed perspective on the world's armies and their equipment throughout history.

Historical Memory

A specific space within the museum is dedicated to the Revolt of January 31, 1891. This historical event, which took place in Porto and represented one of the first attempts to implement the Republic in Portugal, is commemorated through artifacts and documents that help contextualize this significant moment in national history.

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