Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Santarém > Tomar > Prado > Pedreira
The center is situated in the Pedreira area, in Prado, municipality of Tomar, on land that preserves traces of ancient limestone quarrying. The surroundings combine stone walls, green slopes, and the characteristic rural houses of the Nabão valley.
The white-washed facades, framed by visible stonework around doors and windows, stand out in a tranquil environment, where the building discreetly integrates into the village's urban fabric.
Inaugurated in 2013, the center utilizes an old quarry to tell the local story. Inside, the Caldeirão cave is exhibited, a testament to geological formations dating back thousands of years.
The ethnographic exhibition documents trades related to stone, showcasing original tools and reproductions of rudimentary machines used by the stonemasons who shaped this region.
The exhibition route is supported by informative panels on periods such as the Neolithic and Magdalenian, illustrated with drawings and photographs of archaeological finds. The contrast between the stone floor and the light-colored walls creates a sober space, inviting contemplation.
Display cases integrated into the walls present work pieces, rock fragments, and traditional utensils, offering a tactile and visual experience without noise, ideal for those seeking a serene visit.
The building features a Nabão observatory, a viewpoint over the riverbed that allows visitors to understand how water influenced limestone extraction and the operation of ancient mills.
From this point, the view of the flowing water and riverside vegetation gives the space a dynamic character, linking the history of the quarry to the natural landscape and the daily lives of the inhabitants.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.641934577093494,-8.409829042068592
Coordinates DMS: 39°38'31.0"N 08°24'35.4"W
Weather Prado
On-duty Pharmacy Prado
