Paço dos Duques de Bragança

The 16th century marks the beginning of progressive abandonment and consequent ruin that worsened until the 20th century. The rebuilding of the palace began in 1937 and continued until 1959, when it was opened to the public and transformed into a Museum whose collection is dated from the 17th and 18th centuries. Of the existing collections, it stands out for its valuable contribution to the history of the Portuguese Discoveries, the set of four copies of Pastrana's tapestries whose drawing is attributed to the painter Nuno Gonçalves (15th century), which narrate some of the steps of the conquests of the north of Africa, namely Arzila and Tangier. The originals were ordered to be executed in Tournai, in the 15th century by the Portuguese king D. Afonso V, who is now in Spain. The (single) copies were acquired by the Portuguese State in 1957 and were made in Spain by the Real Fábrica de Tapices de Madrid.

We also find the nucleus of Flemish tapestries, namely those made according to cards by Pieter Paul Rubens, whose themes are episodes from the life of a Roman Consul. These tapestries are notable for draperies and shade games. Also part of the Museum's collection is the exhibition of Portuguese furniture from the post-discovery period, of which the set of accountants, from the Indo-Portuguese, the Hispanic-Arabs of Mudejar style, to the beautiful Spanish bargeos, deserves special mention. Decorating the furniture is a large collection of porcelain from the Companhia das Índias, and Portuguese faience from the main factories of the time: Prado, Viana, Rocha Soares and Rato. In one of the rooms are exposed some of the weapons that were gathered by the second Viscount of Pindela, and later acquired by the Portuguese state, whose collection comprises several examples of bladed weapons, fire and elements of armor from the 15th to the 19th centuries. The building is classified as a National Monument.

Phone: +351 351 253 412 273
Email: pduques@culturanorte.pt
http://pduques.culturanorte.pt

Adult Admission: 5 €

Schedule
Daily from 10 am - 6 pm (last entry 5.30 pm)

Free admission on Sundays and holidays until 2 pm for all citizens residing in national territory
(Closed - 1 January; Easter Sunday; 1 May; 25 December)

Source: https://www.cm-guimaraes.pt/