Museu da Lucerna
Museum in Castro Verde with a unique collection of Roman oil lamps from the 1st to the 3rd century AD, discovered in 1994 at Santa Bárbara de Padrões.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museu da Lucerna (Oil Lamp Museum) opened in 2004 in the centre of Castro Verde, in a former warehouse of the Prazeres e Irmão mill, converted into a museum. It arose from a partnership between the Câmara Municipal and the Cortiçol – Cooperativa de Informação e Cultura de Castro Verde. One of the main driving forces behind the project was the archaeologist Manuel Maia, who identified the deposit of oil lamps and accompanied the museum as its conservator.
The core of the collection is a set of thousands of Roman clay lamps, the oil lamps that provided light, dating from the 1st to the 3rd century AD. They were found in 1994 during archaeological work next to the church and cemetery of Santa Bárbara de Padrões. Almost all of them differ from one another and show a wide variety of motifs, from scenes of everyday life and mythological themes to animals and simple objects.
In addition to the permanent exhibition, the museum presents thematic and temporary exhibitions and aims to be a centre for the study of oil lamps, with a scientific catalogue, a library and a documentation centre. It also has an auditorium and educational services, and publishes the “Cadernos do Museu da Lucerna”, which collect the proceedings of researchers' meetings.
Highlights
- Thousands of Roman clay oil lamps, 1st to 3rd century AD
- Collection discovered in 1994 at Santa Bárbara de Padrões
- Varied decorative motifs: everyday life, mythology, animals
- Study centre with scientific catalogue, library and documentation centre
Permanent exhibition
- Coleção de lucernas romanas – Collection of Roman oil lamps from the 1st to the 3rd century AD found at Santa Bárbara de Padrões, with information on their forms, production and potters' marks.
- Founded
- 2004
- Operated by
- Município de Castro Verde, em parceria com a Cortiçol – Cooperativa de Informação e Cultura de Castro Verde
Admission & discounts
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Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The museum offers guided tours and educational services; it also has a library, a documentation centre and an auditorium. |
