Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Azores Part Three: the Museu de Angra do Heroismo

One of the big surprises of Angra was the fantastic museum, Museu de Angra do Heroismo, which is housed in the former Convent of St. Francis and overlooks the city garden.

 photo a4c43088-3974-4e31-8d2a-66075933c801_zpsvbbep7vp.jpg
The museum tour started with the "Stones of Humankind: an exhibition of carved stones." This special exhibit included all kinds of carved stones, including the one we called "Marvin the Martian," a calendar of sorts, and the tombstone of a British sailor who died in the Azores.
 photo 78CF37A5-85D3-4D13-AE81-CA1FB7F3F883_zpsunk2ojry.jpg

 photo 9C7C4A1B-0816-4859-8556-E17344374A89_zpsywwbrl7r.jpg

 photo CCE02A42-FD21-4F6E-8B25-B6AE7EBE54D3_zpsp4p3pt2l.jpg


The museum explores the history of the Azores and of this island, Terceira. I especially loved the maps and navigation tools on display!
 photo C22659F9-3461-495C-B6FE-E21096347795_zpsxs9ckjlz.jpg
 
 photo B09F2FEE-7528-49E1-A822-AB070523EE49_zpsculdnsxa.jpg
 
But the museum includes all of the history: farming, military, music, religion, royalty.
 photo B587A62B-3023-4AD4-9E90-4C282ACF61D6_zpsmkebpulc.jpg
 
 photo E96D4AB5-4A7B-468E-BB21-DB00E6E466F8_zpsquhpjlag.jpg
 
 photo 44E3CBFE-1FA0-4A36-AB0B-C55244A972EE_zpspmffca8m.jpg
 
 photo 3603DE02-5FC3-4AD3-8FF7-0F75994DB554_zpssaeenn89.jpg
 
 photo 4540E8ED-8FDC-47BB-B58E-64A67DBFD11A_zpsetvagw5f.jpg
 
But the highlight of the museum is the church inside! This magnificent church of Portugese-Manueline style was begun in 1665 by Franciscan monks, replacing the original shrine that was built on the site in 1521. The interior is lavishly decorated in Baroque style (with Corinthian influences). The floors house many tombstones, some of which are intricately carved, while the chapel to the right of the altar holds numerous relics.
 photo A79EF030-9F35-40EE-9F86-EA24EFD24CF2_zpshc7yd5ll.jpg
 
 photo C0FB5BC8-941C-4457-97E1-AA3353966A92_zpsdgd2v1pq.jpg
 
 photo 66270CCA-9167-4674-928F-B2ADB6C436E8_zps4pu9niqi.jpg
 
 photo BB8A0FA1-8262-4D2C-82C9-3298E22DBE3E_zps40crur8h.jpg
 
From the main part of the church, a choir loft is visible, but it is not accessible except through the museum. After learning so much history of the Azores, stepping in the choir loft is a welcome reprieve. The view from the top is incredible, and the blue tiles surrounding you create a peaceful and beautiful feeling.
 photo B771038E-D3C8-4FB4-B96C-81E60E7E0C21_zpsc6okk3i8.jpg
 
 photo 33366E30-6C3E-495D-BA05-B3FAB4782435_zpsg6qrmgfz.jpg
 
 photo 28666263-31E2-4A22-A210-A1374BBBBF68_zpsu3vfvgve.jpg
 
After completing the tour of the museum, the terrace offers a lovely view of the Angra city garden, which just begs you to wander its paths.
 
 photo D3361B35-B884-4990-9061-5F3C98BB2ECC_zps0okf9ef0.jpg
 
I was not expecting much when I first learned of this museum, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much information it contained, how well curated it was, and how many of the signs were in English to be easily read by tourists. I definitely recommend a visit to this museum.
 
Next up ... Azores Part Four: the Rest of Terceira!

(To see Parts One and Two, click on the number.) 

No comments:

Post a Comment