For centuries, so many people died, were born, were healed there. Hospital do Espírito Santo operated from 1425 until the end of the 24th century, when it closed. Now, the memories of a space that is still in Tavira's memory can be visited in a new museum nucleus inaugurated last Saturday, June XNUMXth.
Tweezers, syringes, scissors, the old clock, pharmacy products, the stamp, two coats of arms.
Alexandra Rufino, from the Heritage office of Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Tavira, guides us through the three rooms of the new space, showing some of the objects on display.
The idea to create this museum nucleus began «about three years ago» and had a great reason.
«We had unused space and a closed Church [the one of São José that belongs to the hospital]. Therefore, we felt that we had to take advantage of these spaces and that's how this dream of creating a museum center arose», explains the person in charge.
In the rooms, which are accessed through the church, there were still “some things” related to the infirmary, but the collection “was scarce”.
The tweezers, syringes and scissors on display, for example, were donated by the wife of doctor Jorge Correia, who worked there for years. Pharmacy products, alluding to the XNUMXth century, were provided by Farmácia Montepio, one of the oldest in Tavira.
«Our idea is, in the future, to have more pieces. The Regional Health Administration, which operated this space until it closed, will offer us some more assets, because what we want is to keep and preserve it», shoots Alexandra Rufino.
«We didn't want to make a museum of sacred art, but about this building that was so important and that is still in the memories of the people of Tavira», he adds promptly.
This is because the history of this Hospital do Espírito Santo intersects with the history of Tavira in the last six centuries.
Not only residents of Tavira passed through this space, but also residents of neighboring municipalities, pilgrims, beggars, travelers...
During the first centuries, this was also a strategic and rear hospital for the crusaders who fought in Africa.
«The history of health in the city of Tavira is still not well told and this is a starting point. Who knows, in a few years we'll be able to improve exposure and increase your collection», says Alexandra.
In one of the rooms of this ninth museum, there is also a tribute to some providers, as well as an old stamp and a ballot box.
The rooms that make up the nucleus were all part of the Hospital. The remaining spaces are currently occupied by Colégio Santiago Internacional, a private school.
Since it opened, the center has already attracted attention, especially from Tavira residents.
«This is still in people's memory: there are many who still remember the Hospital here, which, at the time, was even one of the best», concludes Alexandra Rufino.
The museum center is open from Monday to Friday, from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm and from 14:00 pm to 17:00 pm.
Photos: Pedro Lemos | Sul Informação
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