Almourol Contemporary Sculpture Park

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Santarém > Vila Nova da Barquinha > Vila Nova da Barquinha > Zona do Parque de Escultura

Location

The Almourol Contemporary Sculpture Park is located in Vila Nova da Barquinha, integrated into a vast green area known as Barquinha Park. This space enjoys a harmonious location along the banks of the Tagus River, offering a serene riverside setting.

Its placement within a park recognized for its landscape architecture, combined with its proximity to the watercourse, creates an environment where works of art blend organically with the surrounding nature, across an extensive and well-maintained meadow.

A Unique Outdoor Art Space

This sculpture park is notable for being the first in Portugal to present an open-air contemporary art collection, bringing together some of the most important figures in national sculpture. The works are carefully distributed throughout the vast green spaces, inviting visitors to a peaceful and contemplative journey.

The park's design allows each sculpture to be discovered as an integral part of the landscape, transforming a common stroll into a distinct cultural and visual experience, where human creativity merges with the natural beauty of the location.

Works and Artists

The Almourol Contemporary Sculpture Park displays a collection of works by some of the most representative names in Portuguese sculpture, with pieces ranging from the 1960s to the present day. Among the artists represented are Alberto Carneiro, Ângela Ferreira, Carlos Nogueira, Cristina Ataíde, Fernanda Fragateiro, Joana Vasconcelos, José Pedro Croft, Pedro Cabrita Reis, Rui Chafes, Xana, and Zulmiro de Carvalho.

Some of the sculptures invite interactivity, challenging visitor observation and participation. There are examples where inspiration comes from local elements and practices, such as irrigation or fishing tools, transformed into art pieces that allow visitors to sit, lie down, or even climb, enriching the experience of those exploring the park.

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