Almada Museum - Bread Caves

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Setúbal > Almada > Almada

Location

This museum nucleus is located in the historic center of Almada, in a quiet pedestrian zone, close to the castle and overlooking the narrow, old streets of the village. The surroundings are marked by traditional architecture and an urban environment that mixes contemporary daily life with vestiges of the medieval past. The central location facilitates walking tours, allowing visitors to calmly explore the history of the village as they wander through its streets.

The museum is housed in a modern building with large glass windows, which allow natural light to enter and offer a superior view over the excavated archaeological area. The integration of contemporary architecture and ancient ruins creates an immersive experience, where visitors observe millennia-old structures from above, right in the urban area.

Origin and Archaeological Value

The space preserves an impressive set of structures excavated from the ground, known as covas de pão (bread pits). In the Middle Ages, these circular cavities were used to store cereals such as wheat, functioning as underground silos. The traditional name comes from the medieval Christian designation of "bread" for cereals in general.

After their abandonment as storage spaces, many of these silos were used as domestic refuse pits, which ultimately preserved a vast collection of archaeological remains. Numerous everyday objects were discovered during the excavations, ranging from ceramics to tools, dating from the 13th to the 16th centuries.

Exhibition and Itinerary

The permanent exhibition is organized into three thematic nuclei: Between Al-Andalus and the Christian Kingdom, The Expanding Village, and The Consolidated Village. These nuclei follow the evolution of the village of Almada between the 12th and 18th centuries, explaining the urban and social transformations over time.

The museum tour is conducted via suspended walkways, which allow visitors to observe the archaeological site from different angles. In addition to the excavated silos, visitors can see fragments of walls and ceramic pieces on display, many of which were found on the site itself. There are also explanatory panels that contextualize the region's Islamic and Christian past, helping to understand the cultural crossroads that shaped Almada.

Atmosphere and Visitor Experience

The atmosphere is calm and secluded, with directed lighting that highlights the most relevant archaeological elements, such as the outlines of the silos or the texture of the stone. The space conveys a sense of direct connection with the past, allowing visitors to imagine the original use of the structures and the lifestyles of the ancient communities that lived here.

The museum has a small scale, which facilitates a quiet and accessible visit for everyone. The recently installed metal staircase allows for a clearer panoramic view over the entire excavated area. Despite some limitations in the captions and signage, the space is well organized and allows for an effective understanding of the exhibition content.

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