Museu da Ruralidade in Entradas – an ethnographic museum in the Alentejo

Museu da Ruralidade (Museum of Rurality) is an ethnographic museum in the village of Entradas, in the municipality of Castro Verde, in Portugal's Baixo Alentejo region. It preserves and presents the ethnological heritage of the Campo Branco, the area lying between the Algarve mountains and the clay lands around Beja.

Where is the museum?

Entradas is a small village about 10 km from Castro Verde, along the road towards Beja. The museum stands in the centre of the village on Rua de Santa Madalena, at roughly 37.78 N, 8.01 W. A car is the easiest way to get there, for instance on a day trip through the Alentejo.

What is the building?

The museum occupies an old farmhouse known as Casa da Leda, with about 500 m² of space. Rather than a purpose-built modern hall, visitors step into a building that is itself part of the region's rural story. The museum opened on 29 July 2011.

What can you see inside?

The interior is divided into three areas:

• Temporary exhibition area – objects connected with rural life in the region are displayed here. Exhibitions change, and the museum also hosts cultural events, including art shows and evenings devoted to local tradition.
• Semi-permanent area – this holds a blacksmith's workshop and miniature farming implements.
• Orality Centre (Centro de Oralidade) – a place to consult documentation on the region's intangible heritage, with particular emphasis on the Castro Fair (Feira de Castro) and the campaniça guitar, a traditional Alentejo instrument.

Why visit Museu da Ruralidade?

It suits travellers who want to meet the Alentejo through everyday life, farm work and oral traditions rather than only monuments or beaches. The museum is small, so a visit takes little time and combines easily with a stop in Castro Verde.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Museu da Ruralidade? In the village of Entradas, about 10 km from Castro Verde on the road to Beja, on Rua de Santa Madalena.

When did the museum open? On 29 July 2011.

What kind of museum is it? An ethnographic museum devoted to the rural heritage of the Campo Branco region.

What is Casa da Leda? The old farmhouse, about 500 m², that houses the museum.

Is there anything about music? Yes. The Orality Centre documents, among other things, the campaniça guitar and the Castro Fair.

Should I check opening hours before going? Yes. It is a small local venue, so before travelling check the Castro Verde municipality website (cm-castroverde.pt), which publishes event information.