Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Santarém > Ourém > Ourém > Antiga Vila de Ourém
The site is located at the highest point of the old village of Ourém, rising above the hill. This dominant position offers wide and privileged views over the surrounding landscape, including the stream and the newer part of the city. Integrated into the historic area of the village, the museum space is at the heart of this classified complex.
The surroundings are characterized by the strong presence of medieval vestiges, such as narrow streets and old buildings, creating an atmosphere that harks back to past eras and emphasizes the historical importance of the complex.
The occupation of this strategic point dates back to ancient times, with indications of presences prior to the formation of Portugal. The connection to Ourém becomes clearer after the Christian Reconquest. Over the centuries, several figures played relevant roles in the history of this place, including Infanta D. Teresa and Constable D. Nuno Álvares Pereira.
The great moment of transformation occurred in the 15th century, under the action of the 4th Count of Ourém, D. Afonso. He was responsible for a vast reform that significantly altered the existing complex, endowing it with residential and ceremonial features, in addition to its original military function, and constructing the Ducal Palace building and the Collegiate Church.
The structure features an irregular triangular plan, punctuated by towers at the vertices. This less common configuration gives it a particular identity. At the center, there is an ancient cistern, fundamental for the life of the castle, fed by a spring.
Over time, elements of different styles were incorporated, reflecting successive phases of construction and adaptation, ranging from Romanesque to Gothic and Mudéjar elements. This superposition of eras and functions, from military fortress to noble residence, is visible in the diversity of its architectural features.
The Ducal Palace building, constructed in the 15th century, recently underwent an intervention that allowed its adaptation to host museum exhibitions. This work aimed to preserve the historical integrity of the property while equipping it with appropriate infrastructure.
Inside, it is possible to observe how the space was prepared for content presentation, using solutions such as wooden floors, brass and glass elements in the recovered openings, and a lighting system that highlights the character of the environments. The roof, for example, was redone using zinc, maintaining the structure on a wooden lining, supported by original stone corbels, a detail that respects ancestral construction techniques.
One of the most prominent elements in the complex is the crypt, located beneath what was the Chancel of the Collegiate Church. This church, also a work of the 4th Count D. Afonso, was almost entirely destroyed by the 1755 earthquake, but the crypt survived.
This underground space is notable for its architecture: a vaulted ceiling supported by six columns whose capitals feature elaborate vegetal and geometric decorations. It is here that the tomb of the 4th Count of Ourém is located, a high-quality sculptural piece attributed to Diogo Pires-o-Velho, which stands out for the expressiveness of the recumbent figure and the detailed stone work on the sarcophagus faces. The crypt's vaulted structure shows affinities with that of the Tomar Synagogue.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 39.6415143,-8.5922213
Coordinates DMS: 39°38'29.5"N 08°35'32.0"W
Weather Ourém
On-duty Pharmacy Ourém
