The Art Nouveau Museum is located in Aveiro, housed in Casa Major Pessoa, a true icon of art nouveau.
The Museum of Art Nouveau (Museu Arte Nova) in Aveiro is the coolest stop on the city cultural scene. The museum resides in the Casa Major Pessoa, one of the most architecturally admired buildings in the city. Building design is attributed to architects Silvia Rocha and Ernest Korrodi. On the exterior, extraordinary art nouveau detail is evident in the stone façade as well as the wrought iron embellishments. The building is topped by a noble eagle, a theme that carries through to the interior.
Inside, tiles are the dominant design element. Lining the walls there are panels of traditional Portuguese azulejos (hand-painted ceramic tiles) depicting art nouveau motifs of birds, animals and flowers.
The museum is a multi-level space. The first floor features a road-map for a walking tour of 28 iconic art nouveau buildings in the neighbourhood. The second floor holds an art gallery of new artists and architects from the city, as well as an auditorium. The top floor is a space for temporary exhibitions.
Equally awesome is the Casa de Chá tearoom on the first level. This charming café has an indoor room with bistro tables. An upright piano stands ready for expert or amateur players. Outside, bean bag chairs are strewn about inviting guests to relax and enjoy the open air. A huge range of teas are available, as are speciality coffees such as cappuccino. Local cakes and fresh scones are perfect for completing a day of art nouveau appreciation.
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