Museu Municipal de Tavira – Palácio da Galeria

About the museum

The Palácio da Galeria is the central nucleus of the Tavira Municipal Museum, opened in 2001 after rehabilitation works. It hosts exhibitions on the history and diversity of the municipality's heritage, with attention also to contemporary artistic expression. The museum is multi-site and multi-themed and also includes the Núcleo Museológico Islâmico, the Núcleo Museológico de Cachopo, the Núcleo Arqueológico do Bairro Almóada and the Centro Interpretativo do Abastecimento de Água a Tavira.

The palace stands on the hill of Santa Maria, on the site of an ancient Phoenician settlement. Excavations in the atrium revealed wells cut into the rock, interpreted as Phoenician ritual wells from the 7th–6th centuries BC, dedicated to the cult of Baal. The building, of 16th-century origin, retains Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque features. The Baroque features date from the reconstruction in the mid-18th century, promoted by the magistrate João Leal da Gama e Ataíde. The courtyard, with its Renaissance arcaded gallery, is considered one of the most interesting in the country. It has been classified as a monument of public interest.

The museum's collection has more than four thousand cultural assets: archaeology, painting, religious imagery, sculpture and numismatics, ethnography of the municipality, collections of private provenance and contemporary art.

Highlights

• Phoenician ritual wells from the 7th–6th centuries BC in the atrium
• Courtyard with a Renaissance arcaded gallery
• Palace of 16th-century origin, classified as a monument of public interest
• Collection of more than 4,000 assets: archaeology, ethnography and contemporary art

Permanent exhibition

• Coleções do Museu Municipal de Tavira – Archaeology and history, ethnography of the municipality, collections of private provenance and contemporary art.

Founded

2001

Operated by

Município de Tavira

Admission & discounts

The Centro Interpretativo do Abastecimento de Água, the Núcleo de Cachopo and the Núcleo Arqueológico do Bairro Almóada have free admission.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

Great for kids & families

The museum organises activities for children and families.

Getting there & parking

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Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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