Things to do in Leiria District, Central Portugal: The Best Museums

Inaugurated in 2017, the Leopoldo de Almeida Museum resulted from the donation made by the heirs of the sculptor, to the city of Caldas da Rainha, of a wide range of Works of his authorship. The collection consists of models of small and medium format, and a remarkable collection of drawings, wich cover six decades in which Leopoldo de Almeida (1898-1975) was in activity (years 20-70), seeking to give a more intimate view of the one of the most importante sculptors of the Estado Novo pedriod. Designed by the architects Artur Rosa e luís Gravata Filipe, the building is organized in large spaces, were the main groups of collection are arranged: models and mockups, defenitive models (in deposist of the Museum of Lisbon) and the room of drawings and clay sketches.

Inaugurated on 21 August 2008 during the commemorations for the Bicentenary of the Battle of Vimeiro, the Battle of Vimeiro Interpretation Center can be found on the Hill above Vimeiro, next to the Monument celebrating the 1st Centenary of the battle. Multifunctional in nature, the Center brings together museum exhibitions, archaeological artifacts, period documents and virtual information with emphasis on interactivity. Strategically positioned, the Interpretation Center provides visitors with na almost complete view of the battlefield.

The National Wine Museum occupies the old winery that was built in 1896 by Jose Eduardo Raposo Magalhaes to develop wine production in the region. A distinguished native of Alcobaca, he, more than anyone, was responsible for the progresso and reputation achieved by wine-growing in the town. He used the latest technology to build his winery and we can still see it today.