Museums and Palaces

Opened in 1995, the Museum of Cordophones features the original and unique collection of cord instruments owned by master craftsman Domingos Machado. The idea of establishing this museum dates back to the 60s after he was contacted by ethnologist Ernesto Veiga de Oliveira about working on restoring some of the instruments donated to the National Museum of Ethnology in Lisbon.

The musical heritage of the collection features Portuguese instruments from the Middle Ages through to modern times. Some instruments have fallen into disuse, others were collected or rebuilt by Domingos Machado. Portuguese guitars, violas, banjos, bandolines and Braga ukuleles are just some of those on show. It is also possible to pay a visit to the workshop where it is possible to learn more about building such instruments.

In addition to his role in the museum, the craftsman continues to develop his skills, helping students, collectors and researchers in building and tuning cord instruments and remains a reference point among national and foreign musicologists.