Museu da Região Flaviense, Chaves
The Museu da Região Flaviense in Praça da Camões in the historic centre of Chaves, in the Trás-os-Montes region of north eastern Portugal, exhibits the city's archaeological and cultural heritage, particularly from the Roman period.
History
The building housing the museum itself dates from the 17th century and was once part of the palace of the Dukes of Bragança serving variously over time as a barracks, military prison and library.
Exhibits
The museum has a fine collection of Roman ceramics, coins, metalwork, mosaic fragments, ornaments and engraved stone milestones and tombstones excavated from the town and surrounding area.
Wall panels help to explain the Roman presence in Chaves (known under the Romans as Aquae Flaviae) and the structure and influence of the Roman Empire in Europe and the wider area of North Africa and the Near East.
Other exhibits date from the Bronze Age including several bronze tools and jewelry items and even further back to the Stone Age with some menhirs (standing stones) on display.
A branch of the Museu da Região Flaviense, the Museu de Arte Sacra da Região Flaviense, in an annex of the Igreja Matriz on Rua da Ordem Terceira close by, has exhibits of religious art including silver candlesticks, icons and clerical vestments.
The former railway station hosts another branch of the Museu da Região Flaviense with exhibits relating to the railway that once served the town.
Access - Getting There
Museu da Região Flaviense
Praça de Camões
Paço dos Duques de Bragança
5400 Chaves
Tel: 276 340 500
Hours: Monday-Friday 9 am-12.30 pm and 2 pm-5.30 pm. Saturday and Sunday 2 pm-5.30 pm. The museum is closed on public holidays and weekends in winter.
The small admission fee includes entry to the Military Museum (Museu Militar) within the Torre de Menagem - the surviving keep of Chaves' castle.
The museum is close to the two churches of the Igreja e Provedoria da Misericórdia de Chaves and the Church of Santa Maria Maior.
