Museums and Palaces

The Museu Municipal de Vila Franca de Xira is composed of several centres, at which the various museum services have been distributed:

1. Palácio do Sobralinho
A 17th-century palace which acts as the head office of the Museum Department and also houses the Documentation Centre and Education Services. The palace and its grounds can also be visited. The palace´s southern tower houses the "Palace Workshop", which is used as a studio for the artistic education of children aged between 4 and 12.

2. Núcleo Museológico de Alverca (Alverca Museum Centre)
Devoted to the theme of "From everyday life to the museum: Alverca from the 17th century to the 20th century", the centre contains a vast collection of ethnographical objects, related in particular to the region´s rural activities.

3. Historical Archives

4. Barco Varino Liberdade
This is a river-boat typical of the kind formerly used on the Tagus. It has been fully restored and runs trips up and down the river from April to September.

5. Quinta da Piedade
Quinta da Piedade consists of a house and estate situated in Póvoa de Santa Iria and has been classified as a Property of Public Interest. It is equipped with library services and a temporary exhibition gallery, as well as housing a permanent exhibition on the history of the local area, belonging to the Dom Martinho Association. A museum centre dedicated to Farming Machinery is due to open soon.

6. Igreja de Santo Mártir
This church is the sacred art museum centre of the Vila Franca de Xira Municipal Museum.