Museu Militar do Porto

About the museum

The building of the Museu Militar do Porto is a late 19th-century bourgeois house, built as the residence of the family of D. Maria Coimbra. Later it housed Spanish nuns during the Spanish Civil War, and it was bought by the State, which turned it into the headquarters of the PIDE in Porto, used between the 1940s and 1974 as a place of interrogation and detention. After the premises were occupied in 1977, the building became a military museum, inaugurated in March 1980 next to the Cemitério do Prado do Repouso.

The origin of the collection goes back to an exhibition held in 1920 at the Teatro São João, linked to the centenary of the Liberal Revolution of 1820. The museum brings together military equipment and weapons from the 16th to the 20th centuries, mainly related to episodes that took place in Porto, such as the French Invasions, the Liberal Wars and the attempt to establish the Republic on 31 January 1891. It also covers themes from the First World War and the Colonial War.

A large collection of miniature soldiers from various European factories stands out. The museum also has a thematic library open for public consultation. The visit covers the historic building and a pavilion in the garden.

Highlights

• Weapons and military equipment from the 16th to 20th centuries
• Episodes of the French Invasions, the Liberal Wars and 31 January 1891
• Large collection of miniature soldiers
• Building that was the PIDE headquarters in Porto
• Thematic library

Permanent exhibition

• Exposição permanente do Museu Militar do Porto – Weapons and military equipment from the 16th to 20th centuries, with emphasis on the collection of miniature soldiers.

Founded

1980

Operated by

Exército Português

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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 Visit Porto portal indicates physical access to the museum.

Kids & families

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Wi-Fi

The Visit Porto portal lists Wi-Fi and a thematic library among the museum's services.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit