Museu de Alberto Sampaio
The Museu de Alberto Sampaio in Guimarães is located in the UNESCO World Heritage listed historic heart of the city.
The museum displays a wealth of historically significant as well as beautiful religious art and artifacts.
History
The museum occupies the former 10th century monastery built by Countess Mumadona Dias, around which the city of Guimarães developed.
At the beginning of the 12th century the monastery became a collegiate church - the Collegiate Church of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira (Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira).
In 1928 parts of the building including several cloisters and chapter houses were converted into a museum to house the treasures of the church and other churches in the area, which had become the property of the state.
The museum is named after Alberto Sampaio (1841-1908), a locally-born historian and co-founder of the Martins Sarmento Society. The society is dedicated to the conservation and study of the Iron Age fort Citânia de Briteiros and the Celtic settlement of Castro de Sabroso.
Exhibits
The museum has a superb collection of religious art of over 2,000 pieces covering the medieval and Renaissance periods and extending until the 18th century.
The jewelery collection is considered one of the best or the best in Portugal. Highlights include the Romanesque chalice of Dom Sancho I and an image of Santa Maria de Guimarães from the 13th century.
In addition there are several processional crosses and a magnificent Gothic altarpiece of gilded silver depicting the Nativity from the late 14th century.
Also on display are an extensive collection of ceramics, frescoes, glassware, paintings, embroidered vestments and azulejos tiles dating from the 13th to 18th centuries.
Two significant objects relating to Portugal's history are in the museum.
These are the gambeson (padded jacket) of Dom João I which he wore at the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385 and the silver Triptych of the Nativity, which he offered to Our Lady of the Olive Tree after his decisive victory over the Castilians.
Access
Rua Alfredo Guimarães
4810-251 Guimarães
Tel: 351 253 423 910
Admission: 3 Euros with concessions for students and people over 65 years of age; the Museu de Alberto Sampaio can also be entered using the Guimarães Pass (15 Euros or 18 Euros with the Teleférico).
Hours: 10 am - 6 pm; Tuesday - Sunday.
Nearby
The museum is very close to the Padrão do Salado monument, the Church of Nossa Senhora da Oliveira and the Torre dos Almadas. A short walk away is the fascinating Museu Arqueológico da Sociedade Martins Sarmento with both Celtic and Roman period exhibits.
Hotels in Guimarães include the four star Santa Luzia ArtHotel, the four star EMAJ Boutique Hotel and the Hotel da Oliveira, also four star.
Other places to stay in the city include the four star Hotel de Guimarães and the pleasant Stay Hotel Guimarães Centro, adjacent to the railway station. The budget HI Hostel Guimarães - Pousada de Juventude is a cheaper option.
