Agricultural Museum of Riachos

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Santarém > Torres Novas > Riachos

Location

The Riachos Agricultural Museum is located in the village of Riachos itself, just a few kilometers from the city of Torres Novas. It is housed in a building with its own history, as it once functioned as an olive oil mill and a farmhouse. Its location within the village allows for direct access to the space and integrates it into the daily environment of the local community.

Roots in the Land and in History

Inaugurated in 1989, this museum was born from the desire to preserve and showcase the traditional way of life of the people of Riachos. Its creation is intimately linked to the historical roots of the community, including the memory of the Sociedade dos Cingeleiros and the cultural importance of the Festa da Bênção do Gado. The space was designed to reflect the specific rural character of this Ribatejo area, a transitional region where different landscape characteristics and agricultural practices converge.

Daily Life and Field Work

Inside the museum, visitors are invited to discover the various facets of rural life from times past. The collection includes a vast array of agricultural tools and machinery that bear witness to field work. There are also sections dedicated to daily life, showing what the traditional house, the kitchen, and the clothing worn by the local people were like. Central elements of agricultural activity, such as the old mill and the threshing floor, are also represented. The museum also gathers documents and photographs that enrich the understanding of the past, and it features a room displaying collections of miniatures and a space for art galleries.

A Living Community Space

More than a repository for objects, the Riachos Agricultural Museum functions as a point of active memory for the community. It is a space that helps keep traditions, uses, and customs alive, transmitting to younger generations the cultural heritage and the connection to the land of their ancestors. For outsiders, it offers an authentic perspective on the rural identity of Riachos and the strong sense of community that is still evident today.

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