Archaeological Museum, Albufeira

Immediately inland from the beach in the Old Town of Albufeira is the Albufeira Municipal Archeology Museum. The building housing the museum does not look large from outside, but it is unexpectedly roomier inside.

The permanent collection consists of four distinct sections: Prehistory, Roman times, the Islamic era, and the early Modern Age, ending in the 17th century. Most of the exhibits were excavated by Father Jose Azevedo, an enthusiastic albeit amateur archeologist.

Father Azevedo collected items from sites close to home. He visited the Castle of Paderne, a Roman villa in Retorta, the necropolis of Morgado da Lameira and the Old Parish Church (Igreja Matriz). Among his treasures are an intact Roman mosaic and a Neolithic vase from 5000 BCE. The museum is part of the Algarve Museum Network.

In the two floors of the museum overlooking the sea are areas dedicated to study, conservation, restoration and storage. There is also a small library. Each exhibit is provided with information sheets printed in English, French, German, Spanish and of course, Portuguese. The museum is close to the Museum of Religious Art of Albufeira.