Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Viseu > Castro Daire > Castro Daire > Braços de Cá
The Castro Daire Municipal Museum is located in the heart of Castro Daire village, in the area known as Braços de Cá.
It is housed in a historic and notable building, the Casa da Cerca. This property, with its Baroque architecture, dates from the 18th century and was commissioned by an important local figure, D. Manuel de Vasconcelos Pereira, who was Bishop of Lamego.
Since its opening in 1993, the Municipal Museum has been dedicated to collecting, preserving, and showcasing the vast historical and cultural heritage of the Castro Daire area.
It is a space that seeks to preserve the memories and traditions that have shaped this region throughout the centuries, functioning as a museum of ethnography and anthropology that documents local life and customs.
Inside the museum, visitors will find different exhibition areas showcasing various aspects of the municipality's life and history. One section is dedicated to archaeology, with findings that prove the ancient human occupation of the region. Highlights include, for example, two hand millstones, possibly dating from the Iron Age or the Roman period.
Another area focuses on traditional agricultural implements, displaying various instruments and tools used in field work, reflecting past agrarian practices. Traditional arts and crafts hold a prominent place, where it is possible to learn about the complete cycle of flax and wool, and see pieces of basketry, clog making, coppersmithing, bells, and cowbells. Particularly interesting is the representation of the burel manufacturing process, including a replica of a fulling mill, which illustrates how this fabric was worked to become waterproof. There is also a section dedicated to traditional typography, with artifacts that belonged to the first printing press to operate in Castro Daire, where local newspapers were printed in the 19th century. The collection is completed by a collection of traditional costumes from the region.
The Castro Daire Municipal Museum aims to ensure that visits are as comfortable and accessible as possible for everyone. It offers conditions for physical accessibility, including access ramps, appropriately wide doors, space for wheelchair circulation, and furniture that facilitates approach. The lighting of the space is also designed for a better visual experience.
Adapted visits for people with reduced mobility are also available upon request. For those wishing to deepen their knowledge, the museum offers the possibility of guided tours. Additionally, the museum regularly hosts temporary exhibitions, which complement the permanent display with other themes and collections.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.898674,-7.9340516
Coordinates DMS: 40°53'55.2"N 07°56'2.6"W
Weather Castro Daire
On-duty Pharmacy Castro Daire
