Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Santarém > Abrantes > Abrantes > São João
The Iberian Museum of Archaeology and Art of Abrantes, known as MIAA, is located in the São João area, in the heart of the town of Abrantes. It occupies the historic building of the Convento de São Domingos, a 16th-century construction that stands as a central landmark in the city's built heritage. Its position, in the upper part of the town, gives it a remarkable presence in the urban landscape and allows for a unique setting within the historic centre.
MIAA is housed in the former Convento de São Domingos, a 16th-century property of great value to the city of Abrantes. This site has had a multifaceted history, serving not only as a convent but also as a military barracks, hospital, and educational space over the centuries. During the building's requalification to house the museum, a project by architect Carrilho da Graça, important archaeological remains were uncovered, such as ancient structures of the original convent, part of a necropolis, and food storage areas, including a silo and a 16th-century 'talha' (large clay pot), later used as an ossuary. In the cloister, the history of this imposing convent is told, in dialogue with the history of Abrantes itself.
MIAA offers a vast perspective on the history of human occupation in the Abrantes region, extending its gaze to diverse cultures and civilizations. The permanent exhibitions, organized into eight thematic nuclei, cover a remarkable chronological span, from the earliest traces of local Prehistory, about 600,000 years ago, to the Contemporary Era. Visitors can appreciate a diversity of artefacts, from Roman sculpture and pieces from the Bronze and Iron Ages, through a collection of treasures, to the art of the Middle Ages and Renaissance in Abrantes. Also noteworthy is the significant Estrada Collection, which brings together objects from the Iberian Peninsula, Europe, the Mediterranean basin, and ancient Asian civilizations, creating a fascinating dialogue between different historical contexts. The municipal collection of archaeology and art, with pieces collected since the 20th century, offers an overview of Portuguese sculpture from the 15th to the 18th centuries, with particular relevance to local sacred sculpture. The museography of the space was designed to enhance each piece, integrating a clean and clear design that respects the historical architecture of the convent.
Beyond its rich archaeological and historical collection, MIAA positions itself as a space where the past intersects with the present and opens paths to the future. One of the permanent nuclei is dedicated to the work of the painter and writer Maria Lucília Moita, who, although born in Alcanena, lived and developed her creative path in Abrantes. Her work, which evolved from naturalism to multifaceted abstractionism, is represented in various phases, including landscapes, still lifes, and drawings. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions, with a focus on works from the Figueiredo Ribeiro Contemporary Art Collection, held by the Municipality of Abrantes, and other relevant exhibitions, reinforcing the constant link between historical heritage and contemporary art.
The quality and relevance of MIAA have been widely recognized. The museum was distinguished as "Museum of the Year 2023" by the Portuguese Association of Museology (APOM), an award that highlighted the excellence of the fusion between valuable archaeological heritage and the requalification of the historic building. Additionally, the rehabilitation project of the Convento de São Domingos, designed by architect Carrilho da Graça, was honored with the Nuno Teotónio Pereira Award 2022, in the category of Urban Rehabilitation of an Equipment Building. These awards attest to the importance of MIAA as a high-quality project that contributes significantly to territorial and cultural valorization.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.46072688748278, -8.19772240474517
Coordinates DMS: 39°27'38.6"N 08°11'51.8"W
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