Museu de Arte Sacra de Arouca
Museum of monastic art in the Mosteiro de Arouca, one of the largest granite buildings in Portugal, with pieces from the 12th to 18th centuries from the Cistercian nuns.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Mosteiro de Arouca, founded between 915 and 925, is one of the largest granite constructions in Portugal and has been classified as a National Monument since 1910. In 1226, through the influence of D. Mafalda, granddaughter of D. Afonso Henriques, it adopted the Cistercian Order and became the most important and powerful women's monastery in Portugal. The present building dates from the 17th and 18th centuries: work began with the gatehouse block (1692), followed by the church and the choir, designed by Carlos Gimac (1704–1718), and then the cloister, the kitchen, the refectory and the chapter house.
The Museu de Arte Sacra was opened in 1933 by the Real Irmandade da Rainha Santa Mafalda, which brings together the people of Arouca. The pieces on display, from the 12th to the 18th century, were devotional objects of the nuns who lived in the monastery from the Middle Ages until 1886, the year of the death of the last abbess. It is the most complete collection of Portuguese monastic art that remains in its original location.
The visit includes spaces of the monastery, such as the cloister, the kitchen and the chapter house, and shows painting, sculpture, goldsmith's work, furniture and religious objects. The museum has enlarged its collection with pieces donated by D. Domingos de Pinho Brandão and with works of sacred art by contemporary artists.
Highlights
- Cistercian monastery, one of the largest granite buildings in Portugal
- Collection of monastic art from the 12th to 18th centuries, kept in its original location
- Cloister, kitchen and chapter house
- Church and choir designed by Carlos Gimac
- Painting, sculpture, goldsmith's work and furniture
Permanent exhibition
- Museu de Arte Sacra – coleção permanente – Pieces from the 12th to 18th centuries used by the nuns of the monastery, displayed in the cloister, the kitchen and the chapter house.
- Founded
- 1933
- Operated by
- Real Irmandade da Rainha Santa Mafalda de Arouca
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €1.50People over 65 and students aged 14 to 24. |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 13 · Minors up to age 13, accompanied by an adult, do not pay. |
| Seniors | €1.50People over 65. |
| Students & apprentices | €1.50Students aged 14 to 24. |
Adults aged 14 to 65 pay €3.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Only guide dogs are admitted.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum has an auditorium that can be booked.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photographing or filming without authorisation from the museum management is prohibited. |
| Good to know | Guided visits by booking, and an educational service. Inside the museum, eating, drinking, smoking and touching the pieces are prohibited. |
