São Pedro Museological Nucleus

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Setúbal > Grândola > Grândola > Grândola e Santa Margarida da Serra

Location

In the municipality of Grândola, the São Pedro Museum Centre is located in the town of Grândola itself, situated in its traditional centre. Its central position in the town offers an authentic perspective of the local environment, inviting visitors to a journey of discovery in the heart of this Alentejo community.

The Old Church: History and Rehabilitation

The São Pedro Museum Centre occupies the building that was once the Church of São Pedro, a religious building from the late 16th century, erected with the approval of the Order of Santiago. After ceasing to serve religious functions in the early 20th century, the property was acquired by the Municipal Council in 1934. Interestingly, the annex buildings housed Grândola's first power station. A careful rehabilitation transformed this site into a modern and dynamic museum space, adapted to host exhibitions and safeguard the municipal heritage.

Journeys Through the Memory of the Territory

Upon entering this museum centre, visitors are guided on an engaging journey through the various historical periods of Grândola. The space exhibits material vestiges left by communities from remote eras, spanning from Prehistory to the 20th century. These collections reveal a territory rich in megalithic monuments, necropolises, remains of mines, fish-salting factories, temples, and ruins, including shipwreck elements, brought to light by archaeological and historical research. The exhibition area, which includes the old nave, the main altar, and several side rooms, portrays locations, evokes important figures, and displays artifacts that illustrate the evolution of this region.

A Centre for Knowledge and Preservation

More than an exhibition space, the São Pedro Museum Centre stands as a pillar for the research and dissemination of the collective memory of the Grândola municipality. It plays a fundamental role in safeguarding the local historical and archaeological heritage, also housing the Municipal museum reserves, which find ideal conditions for their storage here. The site also features a small auditorium where a film dedicated to the history of the municipality is screened, deepening knowledge about this rich heritage.

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