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Aveiro Museum

Aveiro Museum

Aveiro Museum (Museu de Aveiro) in Aveiro is located opposite the city's cathedral, (Sé de Aveiro). The museum is housed in a former Dominican convent (Convent of Jesus); the cathedral was the former Dominican monastery. After the convent was closed the building became a museum in 1911.

Aveiro Museum, Aveiro.
Aveiro Museum (Museu de Aveiro), Aveiro
Aveiro Museum, Aveiro.
Tomb of Joana, Aveiro Museum

Exhibits

The museum is best known for its association with Saint Joana (1452-1490) the daughter of Pedro V. Joana entered the convent in 1475 and throughout her life resisted her royal family's attempts to marry her off to a European monarch, including the much demonized Richard III of England. Saint Joana is the patron saint of Aveiro and her feast day is held in May.

The highlight of the museum's collection is Saint Joana's tomb (she was canonized in the 17th century) but the museum has a large collection of other religious art, particularly religious paintings. The cloisters and courtyards of the beautifully maintained museum are also a delight to wander.

The marble mosaic tomb of Joana is in the former choir stalls by architect João Antunes and the chapel next door is decorated with azulejos tiles detailing her life of piety as well as lavish carved woodwork.

The roof is covered with gold leaf and depicts the outline of a vaulted arch.

The Chapel of Jesus is the work of sculptors António Gomes and José Correia and the painter Manuel Ferreira e Sousa, whose work on the chapel dates from 1729.

Aveiro Museum, Aveiro.
Chapel of Jesus, Aveiro Museum
Aveiro Museum, Aveiro.
Azulejos, Aveiro Museum (Museu de Aveiro)

The convent was remodeled when the building bacame a museum and not all the former rooms remain. The apothecary, barns, cells, infirmary, and workshops have all gone. Remaining are the Chapel of St. Augustine, the choir stalls with Joana's tomb, the Chapel of Jesus, parts of the refectory (now the museum's cafe) and the chapter room.

On the upper floor are the upper choir stalls, the works room and the Chapel of Our Lord of the Via Sacra.

Aveiro Museum, Aveiro.
Aveiro Museum cloister and fountain
Aveiro Museum, Aveiro.
Aveiro Museum cloister

The wealth that came into Portugal from the gold mines of Brazil in the first 50 years of the 18th century is shown both in the lavish decoration of the Chapel of Jesus and in the religious art on display. During the reigh of King João V, the builder of the convent at Mafra, this wealth also spread to the religious institutions, who through donations, legacies and courtly patronage, were able to commission and acquire works of art by some of Europe's greatest artists of the time.

The priceless collection includes ceramics, figurines, furniture, glass work, jewelry, paintings and vestments. The works come from religious institutions from around Portugal and are clearly labeled in Portuguese and English.

Aveiro Museum, Aveiro.
Aveiro Museum
Aveiro Museum, Aveiro.
The Holy Family by Joaquim Machado de Castro (1770-1780), Aveiro Museum
Aveiro Museum, Aveiro.
Fountain and cloister, Aveiro Museum (Museu de Aveiro)

Access & Hours

Aveiro Museum
Parque de Santa Joana
3810-329 Aveiro
Tel: 351 234 423 297

Tuesday to Sunday: 10 am - 6 pm; The museum is closed on Mondays, Christmas Day, New Year, Easter and 1 May



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