Barroso Ecomuseum - Captain's House

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Vila Real > Montalegre > Barreiros > Casa do Capitão

Location

The Ecomuseum of Barroso, Casa do Capitão is located in Barreiros, a village in the municipality of Montalegre. This museum hub is situated in the Barroso region, an area of Trás-os-Montes known for its rural and mountainous landscapes, and its strong cultural identity.

The very name "Casa do Capitão" (Captain's House) not only names the museum but also refers to the area where the building is located, inviting immersion in the local environment.

The Building and Its Memory

The Ecomuseum is housed in an old manor house, which once belonged to the village Captain. This figure represented significant local authority and power, making the building a testament to the social organization and hierarchy of the community in past times. The architecture and history of the house invite a journey back in time, providing direct contact with a piece of Barroso's living memory.

The Ethnographic Collection

This museum space stands out for its vast collection of over a thousand pieces, carefully collected, treated, and inventoried. These objects, donated by the inhabitants of the parish themselves, form an ethnographic hub that allows visitors an authentic understanding of what a traditional Barroso house would have been like. The diversity of the collection provides an in-depth look at the daily lives and experiences of the people of the region.

Experiences and Knowledge of Barroso

The exhibition itinerary of the Ecomuseum of Barroso, Casa do Capitão covers a variety of themes that reflect the most emblematic activities and knowledge of the region. Visitors can learn more about the Barrosã cattle breed, an indigenous species of livestock with a central role in the local economy and culture, and observe the various agricultural tools, both manual and animal-drawn, that shaped work in the fields.

Other thematic areas include the bread cycle and Barroso cuisine, which reveal gastronomic traditions and the value of local products. The wool and flax cycle illustrates the importance of these raw materials in fabric production, while a section dedicated to the Borralha tungsten mines and the figure of D. Nuno Álvares Pereira, Lord of the lands of Barroso, adds layers of history and cultural richness to the visit. To complement the learning experience, the space also provides a playroom and a library.

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