Museu Militar do Porto, Military museum in Bonfim, Portugal.
The Museu Militar do Porto is a military museum in Bonfim housing an extensive collection of firearms, uniforms, vehicles, cannons, and heavy artillery pieces. The displays also include around 16,000 miniature soldiers from European manufacturers arranged chronologically in glass cases.
The building originally served as headquarters for the PIDE secret police during the Estado Novo regime before transforming into a military museum in 1977. This conversion marked a shift from a place of state suppression to one of education and remembrance.
The uniforms and equipment on display show how military dress and technology evolved over time to meet the needs of different conflicts and periods. Visitors can trace the changes in how soldiers dressed and equipped themselves across centuries.
The museum is located near Heroismo metro station and is easily accessible by public transport. Visitors should plan their visit during morning or early afternoon hours, as opening hours are limited.
The museum preserves an original sword belonging to Afonso Henriques, the first king who established Portuguese independence from Galicia. This artifact connects visitors directly with the earliest origins of Portuguese statehood.
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