Portimão museum celebrates 18 years with wide range of events – Portugal Resident

The municipal museum of Portimão is celebrating its 18th anniversary with a month-long programme of cultural activities after surpassing 1.3 million visitors since opening its doors in 2008.

Celebrations begin this Saturday with “Um Dia na Pré-História” (“A Day in Prehistory”), a historical re-enactment held at the Monumentos Megalíticos de Alcalar between 10am and 6pm. The initiative, which is also marking its 20th anniversary, recreates life from 5,000 years ago around the megalithic site.

The programme continues between May 16 and 18 with the 26th edition of the Portimão Photography Race and the first “Desenhar Portimão” (“Drawing Portimão”) gathering, combining photography and illustration challenges inspired by the municipality.

Participants in the photography competition are invited to capture 12 original images of the area between 8.30am and 8.30pm on May 16, while artists taking part in the drawing event will create original illustrations throughout the day.

Registrations for the photography competition remain open until May 13 and can be completed at the museum or through the official registration page.

As part of the European Night of Museums, the museum will also open for special nighttime visits on May 16 between 9pm and 11pm, offering visitors a different perspective on Portimão’s industrial and historical heritage.

A separate overnight initiative titled “LUZ OFF! – EMOÇÕES ON!” will invite students from Manuel Teixeira Gomes secondary school to explore the museum in darkness as part of a creative and sensory experience.

On May 17 at 4pm, the museum will inaugurate the exhibition “Uma Poética Resistente”, organised in partnership with the Museu do Neo-Realismo. The exhibition brings together around 60 works of painting, drawing, engraving and photography by artists including Margarida Tengarrinha, Querubim Lapa, Júlio Pomar and Júlio Resende. Curated by David Santos, the exhibition will remain on display until August 30.

The anniversary programme also includes “Fado no Museu” at 5.15pm on May 17, linked to celebrations marking 15 years since Fado was recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. Celebrations will conclude later that day with the traditional birthday cake ceremony and live performances by IsmaTuna at 5.45pm.

Museum entry will be free on May 18 as part of the international celebrations.