Paredes de Coura Regional Museum

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Viana do Castelo > Paredes de Coura > Paredes de Coura > Paredes de Coura e Resende

Location

The Regional Museum is located in the village of Paredes de Coura, on a historic property known as Casa da Veiga. It is integrated into a space that preserves its original 18th-century design, offering visitors a connection with the ambiance of an old rural house, complemented by a threshing floor and a granary that are part of the complex.

A Building with History

The museum visit begins at Casa da Veiga itself, whose current structure dates back to the 18th century. This rural house invites visitors to discover how some of the families who inhabited it over time lived, namely the Andrade e Castro and, later, the Castro e Antas, Viscounts of Peso de Melgaço. Exploring its spaces allows one to imagine the daily life and reality of these families in the past.

The Region's Collections

The museum houses various collections that tell the history and culture of the municipality. In one of the galleries, archaeological finds document human presence in the geographical area of Paredes de Coura from the Iron Age until the end of the Roman period. Another part of the collections, dedicated to ethnology, displays agricultural tools and utensils used in linen processing, central elements in the region's rural life.

Perspectives on Paredes de Coura

A section of the museum, titled "Digital Footprint in the Lands of Coura," proposes a journey through the municipality's identity. Through texts, documents, photographs, and films, this area offers a comprehensive view of the local population, territory, life, and landscape. It addresses topics such as education, emigration, festivals, and social transformations, presenting testimonies that seek to capture the essence of Paredes de Coura over time.

Collection from Casa do Outeiro

The museum also integrates pieces from Casa do Outeiro, another historic building in the region. This collection includes furniture pieces with examples from different styles and periods, which complement the experience of visiting Casa da Veiga. The sacred art collection, also originating from Casa do Outeiro, features oratories, engravings, and paintings, mostly from the 19th century, offering a glimpse into the devotion and religious art of that period.

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