Portugal dos Pequenitos, Coimbra
Portugal dos Pequenitos, over on the western bank of the Mondego River in Coimbra, is a model village displaying miniatures of famous monuments from all over Portugal, Madeira and The Azores. These include a scale model replica of the University of Coimbra and the famous window at the Convent of Christ in Tomar.
Portugal dos Pequenitos is aimed at young children, who can enjoy visiting the various miniature monuments and seeing the a number of recreated regional houses from all over the country.
Also in the theme park is a Maritime museum with models of ships built in the 20th century and a small Furniture Museum.
The Dress Museum is more recent, having opened in 1997, and displays around 300 miniature outfits. The Barbie Museum displays a a similar number of children's dolls donated to Portugal dos Pequenitos.
Portugal dos Pequenitos opened in 1940 and was financed by Bissaya Barreto (1886-1974), a professor of medicine at Coimbra University, a nationalist politician and a personal friend of António de Oliveira Salazar, with whom he studied at Coimbra. The architect of the project was Cassiano Branco.
Portugal dos Pequenitos also has pavilions dedicated to Portugal's overseas dominions, which to modern eyes, may appear decidedly colonialist and rather redolent of the "White Man's Burden" - reflecting the mainstream thoughts of the regime at the time.
Portugal dos Pequenitos puts on a variety of special exhibitions and shows for kids especially during the summer holiday months.
Access - Getting There
www.portugaldospequenitos.pt
Rossio de Santa Clara
3040-256 Coimbra
Tel: 239 801 170/1
Hours: 1 January - end of February &16 October - 31 December 10 am - 5 pm; 1 March - 31 May & 16 September -15 October 10 am - 7 pm; 1 June - 15 September 9 am - 8 pm.
Admission: 5.95 Euros for adults
Museums in Portugal
Museu dos Fósforos (Matchbox Museum)
Coimbra Attractions
© Portugal Visitor
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