Museu da Região Flaviense – Núcleo de Arqueologia e Pré-História

About the museum

The idea of creating the Museu da Região Flaviense (Flavian Region Museum) dates back to 1929, when Chaves was promoted from town to city. That year the Administrative Commission of the Câmara Municipal set up the museum's founding committee. The first home was the former church of the Convento das Freiras (Convent of the Nuns), and in 1945 the museum moved to a manor house on the Largo do Anjo. In 1978, for the celebrations of nineteen centuries of the municipality, it moved to the Paço dos Duques de Bragança (Palace of the Dukes of Bragança), where it remains.

The name Museu da Região Flaviense was eventually given to the network of municipal museums, which includes several thematic units. The original museum, which heads the network, became known as the Núcleo de Arqueologia e Pré-História (Archaeology and Prehistory Unit). The building is the former palace built by the 1st Duke of Bragança, D. Afonso, between 1410 and 1446, and was a military barracks from the 18th century to the mid-20th century.

The collection was assembled over decades by amateur archaeologists, through donations and through archaeological work in the region. It covers the period from the 3rd millennium BC to Romanisation: stone tools, Bell Beaker pottery, ornaments, weapons and metal tools, stone statues, and one of the richest collections of Roman epigraphy, with coins, terra sigillata pottery and figurines. The space includes the permanent collection room and a painting room dedicated to Nadir Afonso.

Highlights

• Roman epigraphy collection: votive, honorific, funerary and road inscriptions
• Bell Beaker pottery and objects from the Copper, Bronze and Iron Ages
• Statue-stele and menhir statue
• Coins and terra sigillata pottery
• Former Palace of the Dukes of Bragança

Permanent exhibition

• Coleção permanente de arqueologia e pré-história – Main room with archaeological remains from the Flavian region, from the 3rd millennium BC to Romanisation, with a focus on Roman epigraphy.

Founded

1929

Operated by

Município de Chaves

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

The prehistory and archaeology unit has free admission. The Núcleo Militar (Military Unit), in the Torre de Menagem (keep), charges €1 (discounted ticket: €0.50).

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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