PORTUGAL GUIMARAES - ALBERTO SAMPAIO MUSEUM

MUSEO DE ALBERTO SAMPAIO (ALBERTO SAMPAIO MUSEUM)

The Museu de Alberto Sampaio created in 1928 to house the collections of the extinct collegiate church Colegiada de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira and of other churches and convents in the Guimaraes region , then in the hands of the State, is located in the heart of the Historic Centre, in the exact location where, in the 10^th century, Countess Mumadona orders the creation of the monastery around which the Vimaranense bourg would later expand.

In view of the fact that it occupies the space that belonged to the Collegiae Church, it is of great and artistic value, as evidenced by the cloister and medieval rooms that surround it, the former Priority House and the House of Canons. Its important sculpture collections (architectural, freestanding and tombstones) include medieval and renaissance periods and beyong up to the 18^th century. 

From its jewellery collection, one of the best in the country, the highlight goes to D.Sancho I’s roman chalice, the image of Santa Maria de Guimaraes (13^th century), the processional crosses and the magnificent Gothic retable of glided silver, from the end of the 14^th century.

Other also worthy of being highlighted are the vest that D.Joao I wore during the Battle of Aljubarrota,the 16^th century fresco representing the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, the collection of paintings from the 16^th  to the 18^th centuries, the Manueline and Baroque woodcarvings , the embroidered vestments , the azulejaria (Tiles ) and faience.