Museu João Soares

Museu João Soares in Leiria, officially the Casa-Museu Centro Cultural João Soares, is a house-museum devoted to contemporary Portuguese history, set in Cortes, in the municipality of Leiria. It is run by the Fundação Mário Soares e Maria Barroso and has operated since 1996 in a building donated by the Soares family.

What is the Casa-Museu João Soares?

It combines a museum, a cultural centre and an educational space. The foundation describes it as a place for learning history and for dialogue about citizenship. After the family handed over the building, the foundation restored and adapted it, so alongside the galleries you will find facilities for working with school groups and researchers.

What can you see in the exhibitions?

The core is the permanent exhibition "Twentieth-Century Portugal: The Paths of Democracy – João Soares / Mário Soares". It focuses on the country's modern history, including the road to democracy after the revolution of 25 April 1974. The museum also stages temporary exhibitions, so the programme changes through the year.

The collection includes museum objects, especially gifts Mário Soares received during his public life. It also holds artworks, honorary decorations and the academic robes of Mário Soares and Maria Barroso.

What are the facilities and the garden like?

The building has several exhibition areas, a library, an auditorium, technical storage, work spaces and apartments. The João Lopes Soares Library keeps a catalogue of more than 25,000 titles.

A separate highlight is the garden designed by Gonçalo Ribeiro Telles, one of Portugal's most respected landscape architects. It contains an open-air amphitheatre and the car Mário Soares used during election campaigns after 25 April 1974.

Who is it for?

The educational programme is aimed mainly at schools and families. It includes guided visits, educational workshops, book and reading promotion, leisure activities and performances. For adult visitors it is a good way to understand post-revolution Portugal through the story of one of its key political families.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the museum? In Cortes, in the municipality of Leiria, in central Portugal.

Since when has it operated? Since 1996, in a building donated by the Soares family and restored by the foundation.

Who manages it? The Fundação Mário Soares e Maria Barroso.

Is there anything for children? Yes. The educational offer targets schools and families, with workshops, reading activities and performances.

Is the garden worth a look? Yes. It was designed by Gonçalo Ribeiro Telles and holds an amphitheatre and Mário Soares's historic campaign car.

How much time should I plan? About two hours covers the permanent exhibition, temporary shows and a stroll in the garden. Check current opening hours on the foundation's website before visiting.