By the GoÓbidos Team●24 December 2014
Art and Culture in Óbidos: Museums and Galleries of the Village
From Josefa de Óbidos and André Reinoso to contemporary art at the NovaOgiva Gallery: a route through the museums and galleries inside the walls.
In this article
Municipal Museum Parish Museum Abílio de Mattos e Silva Museum NovaOgiva Gallery Casa do Pelourinho Gallery Frequently asked questions
The past of Óbidos runs through its museums and galleries: from religious treasures to the paintings of André Reinoso and Josefa de Óbidos.
And there is more. Today Óbidos invests in spaces such as the NovaOgiva Gallery, which brings temporary exhibitions of contemporary art. Walk the narrow cobbled streets with us and discover them.
Municipal Museum
Part of the Western Region Museums Route, the Óbidos Municipal Museum is also the head of the Óbidos Museums and Galleries Network. It opened on 15 June 1970.
Its collection stands out for 16th and 17th-century painting by André Reinoso and Josefa d’Óbidos. Reinoso was the first Portuguese Baroque painter, active between 1610 and 1641.
Besides painting, Josefa d’Óbidos worked in engraving, clay modelling, the design of costumes, fabrics and accessories, and floral arrangements.
Parish Museum
The Óbidos Parish Museum is in the restored Church of São João Baptista, said to have been built in 1309 by Queen Isabel.
The church supported the village’s leper community and later passed to the Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Óbidos, founded by another great queen linked to the village, Queen Leonor.
Restored with the support of the town council, it is one of the most symbolic buildings in Óbidos, focused on temporary exhibitions and on studying and sharing the church’s artistic and historical treasures.
Abílio de Mattos e Silva Museum
The Abílio de Mattos e Silva Museum occupies the former town hall and the Casa do Arco, where the artist lived.
Among many other activities, Abílio de Mattos e Silva was a painter and worked in the visual arts, theatre and opera.
NovaOgiva Gallery
The NovaOgiva Gallery was founded in 1970 by the sculptor José Aurélio, the same year as the Municipal Museum.
After three decades of inactivity, it is now open to contemporary art, with temporary exhibitions and collections, and is part of the Óbidos Museums and Galleries Network.
Casa do Pelourinho Gallery
This gallery was created as an alternative to the Solar da Praça de Santa Maria, now occupied by the Municipal Museum’s permanent collection. It hosts cultural events such as contemporary art exhibitions by new Portuguese talent.
The village also has its annual events, such as the Óbidos Christmas Village and the Óbidos Medieval Market. See the full calendar in Festivals in Óbidos.
Guided tour
Óbidos: Medieval Tales & Secret Spots
A local guide tells the stories of the queens, kings, artists and legends of Óbidos, inside the walls.
Frequently asked questions
What museums and galleries are there in Óbidos?
The Municipal Museum, the Parish Museum, the Abílio de Mattos e Silva Museum, the NovaOgiva Gallery and the Casa do Pelourinho Gallery, all inside the village walls.
Where can I see works by Josefa de Óbidos?
At the Óbidos Municipal Museum, which holds 16th and 17th-century paintings by Josefa de Óbidos and André Reinoso, and in the Church of Santa Maria.
Is there contemporary art in Óbidos?
Yes. The NovaOgiva Gallery and the Casa do Pelourinho Gallery host temporary contemporary art exhibitions, including shows by new Portuguese artists.
More about Óbidos
- Itineraries in Óbidos
- Óbidos Religious Heritage
- Óbidos Castle
- FOLIO Literary Festival
- What to do in Óbidos
- Explore Óbidos
This article was prepared by the GoÓbidos team, the local tourist guide to Óbidos. Please check dates, opening hours and prices with the organisers before your visit.