Tavares Proença Museum

The Tavares Proença Museum, the Museu Francisco Tavares Proença Júnior, is the museum of Castelo Branco, founded in 1910 by the archaeologist of that name and housed since 1971 in the former bishops' palace. Its best-known collection is the embroidered silk bedspreads of Castelo Branco, the colchas, made with silk thread on linen cloth.

The palace was built in the 16th century by D. Nuno de Noronha, Bishop of Guarda, as a winter residence, and its garden is the Episcopal Palace Garden.

What to see at the Tavares Proença Museum

Colchas of Castelo Branco: the embroidered silk bedspreads of the region, with their floral patterns.
Archaeology: finds from the region, including material from the rock art of Fratel, pottery and coins.
Painting: 16th-century Portuguese panel paintings by Garcia Fernandes, Cristóvão de Figueiredo and Gregório Lopes.
Tapestries: Flemish tapestries of the 16th century.
Embroidery workshop: the museum works with the embroidery school of the city, where the technique is still taught.

History of the Tavares Proença Museum

16th century: the bishops' palace is built.
1910: Francisco Tavares Proença Júnior founds the museum, first in the Convento dos Capuchos.
1771 to 1831: the palace serves as the residence of the bishops of Castelo Branco, before the diocese joins Portalegre.
1971: the museum moves into the former palace.