Museu Francisco Tavares Proença Júnior

About the museum

The Museu Francisco Tavares Proença Júnior was founded in 1910 by the archaeologist after whom it is named, first in the Convento dos Capuchos. In 1971 the museum and its collection moved to the former Paço Episcopal (Episcopal Palace), where they remain. The building was commissioned in 1596 by the bishop of Guarda, D. Nuno de Noronha; behind it stretches the Jardim do Paço Episcopal, an example of Baroque gardening. In 2018 the palace, the garden and the walkway were classified as a National Monument.

Today the museum presents itself as a museum of the territory and the community, linked to local and regional history, and is part of the Rede de Museus e Equipamentos Culturais do Município de Castelo Branco. It organises its collection along three main axes: Archaeology; Sacred Art and Memories of the Bishopric; and Decorative Arts, with emphasis on the Bordado de Castelo Branco (Castelo Branco embroidery).

The collection also includes 16th-century tapestries, old Portuguese painting and contemporary art, with a remarkable group of works by Noronha da Costa, as well as ethnology, African art, numismatics and photography. The embroidered silk bedspreads for which the town is known originated in the core of the collection of Ernesto de Vilhena and were enriched by purchases and donations. The Salão Nobre (Grand Hall) hosts concerts, lectures and other events.

Highlights

• Archaeology unit on the ground floor
• Sacred art and memories of the Bishopric in the former Paço Episcopal
• Embroidered silk bedspreads and Castelo Branco embroidery
• 16th-century tapestries and old Portuguese painting
• Painting collection by Noronha da Costa
• D. Fernando de Almeida Library and Grand Hall

Permanent exhibitions

• Arqueologia – Archaeology unit on the ground floor, with finds from the territory of Castelo Branco.
• Arte Sacra e Memórias do Bispado – Collection of the former Paço Episcopal, with sacred art, on the 1st floor.
• Artes Decorativas e Bordado de Castelo Branco – Decorative arts, with emphasis on the embroidered bedspreads of Castelo Branco, on the 1st floor.

Founded

1910

Operated by

Município de Castelo Branco

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Sundays and public holidays, for residents of Portugal.

Free admission also for unemployed people resident in the European Union, active researchers and museum professionals, members of ICOM, ICOMOS, APOM and the Sociedade dos Amigos do museu (Friends of the Museum Society), and teachers and students on study visits booked in advance.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum seeks to ensure universal accessibility, despite the limitations of a historic building. The 1st floor, with the sacred art and decorative arts, is accessible by stairs and by lift.

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

D. Fernando de Almeida Library, temporary exhibition gallery and Grand Hall.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit