Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Viseu > Tondela > Caramulo > Ceidão
In the heart of Caramulo village, in the municipality of Tondela, this unique museum is found. It is located on the southern slope of the mountain range of the same name, benefiting from a natural setting of lush vegetation. Its south-facing position offers an expansive view over the valley, known for presenting one of the most extensive panoramas in the country.
The existence of the Caramulo Museum is linked to the history of the village itself. It was an initiative of the brothers Abel de Lacerda and João de Lacerda, sons of Jerónimo de Lacerda, the doctor who created the Caramulo sanatorium. Anticipating the decline of sanatoriums, the brothers had the vision to transform the locality's vocation, investing in cultural and artistic tourism. They decided to create a museum that was unusual for its time, in a mountain location. Abel de Lacerda was the driving force behind the art collection, while João de Lacerda developed the remarkable automobile collection. The Abel and João de Lacerda Foundation maintains and manages the museum, continuing the original dream.
The main building of the Caramulo Museum was specially designed to house the art collection. Designed by architect Alberto Cruz, it was one of the first in Portugal to be conceived from scratch with modern museology requirements. Its Neo-classical style construction uses local materials such as granite and schist. Inside, a remarkable 18th-century cloister stands out, carefully transported and reassembled stone by stone, originating from the Franciscan Convent of Fraga. This cloister provides a unique atmosphere to the surrounding galleries. Another annex building was constructed later to house the automobile collection, designed to facilitate the movement of vehicles.
The museum holds a remarkable art collection. There are about 500 pieces, ranging from antiquity, including ancient Egyptian artifacts, to more recent works, reaching artists like Picasso. The variety is vast, with painting, sculpture, furniture, ceramics, textiles, and other artistic fields. Among the most emblematic pieces are the imposing Tournai tapestries, commissioned by King D. Manuel I, paintings by Grão Vasco, and a unique piece of Chinese porcelain, the Jorge Álvares bottle, featuring one of the first inscriptions in Portuguese. The collection also includes prominent names in modern and contemporary art, such as Salvador Dalí, Vieira da Silva, and Joan Miró, in addition to several works by Pablo Picasso.
For classic vehicle enthusiasts, the museum holds a surprise. A collection of nearly 100 antique automobiles and motorcycles awaits visitors. These machines are more than just exhibition pieces; many have been meticulously restored and maintained in perfect working order. The collection includes examples with a direct link to Portuguese history, such as the oldest functioning automobile in the country (a 1899 Peugeot), vehicles that belonged to historical figures or were used in significant moments (such as the Rolls-Royce that served Queen Elizabeth II and Pope John Paul II, or the cars of Oliveira Salazar), and models from prestigious and rare brands like Bugatti, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Rolls-Royce. The quality and care in the maintenance of this collection are internationally recognized.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.5696525,-8.1722523
Coordinates DMS: 40°34'10.7"N 08°10'20.1"W
Weather Caramulo
On-duty Pharmacy Caramulo
