Museu Municipal de Vila Franca do Campo

Municipal museum of Vila Franca do Campo, on São Miguel, about the culture and identity of the town, with branches such as the Museu da Olaria and the Solar dos Viscondes do Botelho.

Opening hoursFree admission

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About the museum

The Museu Municipal de Vila Franca do Campo reflects the culture, identity and everyday life of the town. Its themes include the town's pottery, traditional crafts, whaling, religion and devotion, the making of the viola da terra, water mills, archaeological finds and the architecture of the orange trade.

Vila Franca do Campo was granted town status in 1472. Gonçalo Velho Cabral settled here and had built the first court house of São Miguel and the customs house for the transatlantic ships. An earthquake buried the town in 1522.

The museum has several sites, including the Solar dos Viscondes do Botelho (the “Comando”), the Casa Botelho de Gusmão (currently not open to visitors), the Museu da Olaria do Mestre António Barata, the ceramic kiln of Manuel Jacinto de Carvalho, the Água d'Alto hydroelectric plant and the São José mill. Guided visits to the manor house, the pottery museum and the kiln are available by prior booking, including in English.

Highlights

Solar dos Viscondes do Botelho
Museu da Olaria do Mestre António Barata
Ceramic kiln of Manuel Jacinto de Carvalho
Water mills and the Água d'Alto hydroelectric plant
Free admission

Permanent exhibition

Cultura e identidade de Vila Franca do Campo – Town pottery, traditional crafts, whaling, religion, the making of the viola da terra, water mills, archaeology and the architecture of the orange trade.

Operated by: Município de Vila Franca do Campo