Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
either-love-it-or-hate-it construction is intended to resemble rocks, marking the difference
between the 13th and 21st centuries. There is a temporary exhibition gallery on the 1st
floor.
Museu da Tapeçaria de
Portalegre Guy Fino
(Rua da Figueira 9; admission €2; 9.30am-1pm & 2.30-6pm Tue-Sun)
If there's one thing you must visit
in Portalegre, it's this splendid museum. Opened in 2001, it contains brilliant contempor-
ary creations from Portalegre's unique tapestry factory. It's named after the factory
founder, who created an innovative 'stitch' by hand weaving. The museum shows a selec-
tion of the 7000 colours of thread used.
French tapestry artist Jean Lurçat at first dismissed the technique, until the factory
made a copy of one of his works - a cockerel - and asked him to identify the one made at
Aubusson, in France. He chose the perfect Portalegre copy - you can see them juxtaposed
in this museum. The huge tapestries are very expensive, and the museum includes works
by some of the most famous names in Portuguese 20th-century art, including Almada
Negreiros and Vieira de Silva. They are all hand-signed on the back by the artist, attesting
their quality and authenticity.
www.mtportalegre.pt
; Rua de Iria Gonçalves 2)
where they are made (its walls are also adorned with
fabulous examples). Photography is prohibited and advance reservations are required.
MUSEUM
Museu José Regio
(Rua Poeta José Régio; 9.30am-1pm & 2.30-6pm Tue-Sun)
This small museum is in poet José Re-
gio's former house, and shows his magpie-like collection of popular religious art, with
around 400 Christ figures. There are lots of rustic ceramics from Coimbra, which 18th-
century migrant workers used to swap for clothes.
MUSEUM
Museu Municipal
(Rua José Maria da Rosa; admission €2; 9.30am-1pm & 2-6pm)
The local museum exhibits religious
art of the 17th and 18th centuries, including paintings and furniture from the Convento de
Santa Clara (now a public library) and Monastero de São Bernardo (now the National
Guard School), along with private collections.
MUSEUM
Sleeping
