Museu de Damião de Góis e das Vítimas da Inquisição
Museum in the former Igreja de Santa Maria da Várzea, in Alenquer, dedicated to the humanist Damião de Góis and to the victims of the Inquisition.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museu de Damião de Góis e das Vítimas da Inquisição occupies the former Igreja de Santa Maria da Várzea, in the historic centre of Alenquer, next to the castle walls and near the former Jewish quarter (judiaria). It opened in May 2017 under the Município de Alenquer, with an architectural project that created an exhibition structure inside the restored church.
Damião de Góis (1502–1574), a humanist and diplomat in the service of the Portuguese crown, was baptised in this church and acquired there the right to be buried. A friend of Erasmus, he travelled through several European countries and was later imprisoned by the Inquisition, accused of Lutheran ideas. The church still holds the open carneiro (burial vault) where he was laid to rest.
The exhibition presents the life and work of Damião de Góis, with emphasis on his condition as a victim of the Inquisition, and also recalls the importance of Alenquer's Jewish community. The museum is one of the stops on the network of the Caminhos de Fé (Faith Routes) and of Jewish heritage in Portugal.
Key themes
- Open carneiro (burial vault) of Damião de Góis
- Exhibition on the life and work of the humanist
- Memory of the victims of the Inquisition
- Connection to the history of Alenquer's Jewish community
- Free admission
- Founded
- 2017
- Operated by
- Município de Alenquer
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free admission.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- 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
Access is by a platform lift; the entrance door is at least 78 cm wide but is difficult to open. Assistance dogs are permitted (according to the TUR4all platform, which awarded the museum its accessibility seal).
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum is in the historic centre of Alenquer, on the Calçada Damião de Góis.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The museum runs educational programmes and holiday activities, some with free registration. |
