Inside the Castle in the Mediaeval Town of Vila Viçosa are two museums which are a must-visit, and at the same time you can wander around the Castle itself.
The Archaeological Museum is amazing – artistically and spaciously laid out and with beautiful objects on display. I didn’t have time for note-taking and so my details are scanty, but I hope the photographs give a taste of the pleasures to be enjoyed in this unexpected collection.
Neolithic (c.10,000 BC) flint knives, and arrow heads were deadly sharp, and the Neolithic engraved stone plaques are beautiful – apparently 50% of known examples have been found near Evora where there are also cave paintings (Escoural), stone circles, and standing stones (Almendras).
The Romans were in ‘Portugal’ from c.200BC-c.400AD and in control of the south of the country for most of this period, building roads and settlements, farming and mining. In the Museum there are displays of pots, mosaics, oil lamps (usually engraved with Gods and Goddesses, but who is the odd fellow below?), and beautiful glassware, amongst other objects. (In this area you can find Roman ruins at São Cucufate, Evora, and Ammaia amongst other places.)
The Castle also has a Museum of the Hunt which was not to my taste, although I could admire the workmanship on the ivory hunting horns, and the spears and guns.
You may be interested in
Castles in Portugal
The Megalithic Portal for information & photographs on matters Neolithic, Megalithic & so on, and here too for Megaliths Portugal
A Brief History of Portugal
The Roman Bridges in Portugal – marvellous post!
Archaeological sites & museums in Portugal
Vila Vicosa – interesting article
Anne Guy
Great artefacts and lovely mosaics Candy thanks for sharing your adventures!
Candy Blackham
The Archaeology Museum was a very unexpected, beautifully presented, and well worth visiting.
Candy Blackham
Trying to understand the past, and art of all forms, takes time…
zerocreativity0
Greatly compiled post! At least I saw this museum here!
Candy Blackham
Thank you – visitors to Vila Vicosa should not miss the chance to visit these museums in the Castle. On the day I visited there were only two other people – what a shame!
zerocreativity0
People are getting away from history and art!