The building is from the 19th century. Before 1881, the Tabuaço benefactors Bernardino de Sena de Macedo Pinto, José and Joaquim Ferreira de Macedo Pinto suggested to the government the creation of a primary school to be called "Macedo Pinto", for boys only, and a specific subject on agriculture. Its initial purpose was, therefore, educational.
In the late 1890s, the school closed for lack of students and reopened in the 20th century. At that time, the library contained about 3 000 books. In mid 20th century, the building served only as a library, and the remaining facilities were used for other educational activities, such as back-to-school education, the school board, etc.
In 2004, construction works began to convert the building into the Douro Imaginary Museum (MIDU), which is part of the Douro Museum Nucleus. The Imaginary Museum opened in January 2009 and represents the first of the eleven museums which the Douro Museum hopes to establish in the Douro Demarcated Region. Its opening exhibition was entitled "Perspectives on Alpajares", the tale on the construction of the Alpajares or Devil road in the municipality of Freixo de Espada à Cinta.
In essence, the MIDU aims to share and preserve all the expressions of the typical Douro imaginary, both inherited immaterial heritage (legends, traditions, songs, romances, etc.), and the new generations’ utopia and imagination. Its connection to references of legends and traditions aims to expand the Museum’s activity to the Douro region through itineraries for visits and remembrances.
Location: Tabuaço
In the late 1890s, the school closed for lack of students and reopened in the 20th century. At that time, the library contained about 3 000 books. In mid 20th century, the building served only as a library, and the remaining facilities were used for other educational activities, such as back-to-school education, the school board, etc.
In 2004, construction works began to convert the building into the Douro Imaginary Museum (MIDU), which is part of the Douro Museum Nucleus. The Imaginary Museum opened in January 2009 and represents the first of the eleven museums which the Douro Museum hopes to establish in the Douro Demarcated Region. Its opening exhibition was entitled "Perspectives on Alpajares", the tale on the construction of the Alpajares or Devil road in the municipality of Freixo de Espada à Cinta.
In essence, the MIDU aims to share and preserve all the expressions of the typical Douro imaginary, both inherited immaterial heritage (legends, traditions, songs, romances, etc.), and the new generations’ utopia and imagination. Its connection to references of legends and traditions aims to expand the Museum’s activity to the Douro region through itineraries for visits and remembrances.
Location: Tabuaço
