Moinho do Papel
Municipal museum of Leiria on traditional papermaking and grain milling, in a mill by the river where the country's first paper mill is said to have operated.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The country's first paper mill is said to have been installed on this site in the 15th century. For this reason the Moinho do Papel (Paper Mill), created in 2009, is dedicated to learning traditional crafts linked to paper and grain: the milling of maize, wheat and rye, olive oil production and papermaking.
On the visitable route, the stories of the building's various uses are told. The permanent exhibition room has a panel with the chronology of papermaking, from 300 BC in China to the 20th century in Portugal. Throughout the building one can see how the pairs of millstones work and experience the traditional papermaking process, with the necessary equipment: a galga mill (moinho de galgas), a Dutch beater (tina holandesa) for grinding cotton, a wooden vat with pulp, moulds for sheets of various sizes, squeegees, a press and a drying line.
The mill has a strong educational vocation and offers workshops for schools and families, such as bread-making, handmade paper and notebook making, as well as origami and a peddy-paper. The surroundings combine the river and small waterfalls, in the heart of the city, and visitors can buy handmade products made on site.
Highlights
- Traditional papermaking with a Dutch beater, moulds and press
- Pairs of millstones for grinding grain
- Chronological panel of papermaking since 300 BC
- Educational workshops on paper, bread, origami and notebooks
- Site of the country's first paper mill, in the 15th century
- Free admission
Permanent exhibition
- Exposição permanente do Moinho do Papel – Route through the various uses of the mill, with a chronology of papermaking and a demonstration of how the millstones work and of the traditional papermaking process.
- Founded
- 2009
- Operated by
- Município de Leiria
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free admission. Guided visits and school visits are requested by direct contact with the museum.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
The mill organises educational workshops for children, young people and schools: making bread, recycled or cotton paper, notebooks, origami and a peddy-paper.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Visitors can buy handmade products made on site.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
The mill is available for hire, under conditions set by the Leiria municipal council.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | For a guided or school visit, the museum must be contacted. |
