golden route

A passion for art and gold

Museum located in Casa Branca de Gramido, shows through objects, documents, videos and interactive games, the history and the process of this secular art. Among the most emblematic pieces are a highly detailed 19th century chest and a replica of the heart worn by Sharon Stone in 2014. Gondomar is a territory known for Goldsmithing, much of its history is a relationship established between Man - Workshop - Gold. The presence of gold mining comes since the pre-Roman peoples, intensifying during the Roman presence with the exploration of mines scattered in the hills of Pias and Banjas. From the second half of the XVIII century, Gondomar begins to assert itself as one of the most important and prolific centers of Portuguese goldsmithery. Filigree is the privileged field of Gondomar's goldsmithery, the handcrafted production is practiced in small scale family workshops, using techniques passed from one generation to the next. This heritage is still very strong in the city, an example of this, in the ranking of the eight biggest Portuguese companies of jewelry and goldsmithery, five are from Gondomar. The Jewelry in Gondomar accounts for about 60% of national production. We will visit another place next door of great cultural importance to the region, Lugar do Desenho - Júlio Resende Foundation. This cultural space was created from a collection of about two thousand drawings that the painter Júlio Resende gathered throughout his career, which began in the 1930s. If the preservation and dissemination of this important collection of the institution's cultural and pedagogical activities define its primary objectives. objectives. Thus, simultaneously with the exhibition of the collection, always visible in a space designed and accessible to the public, temporary exhibitions, concerts, conferences and specialized seminars. The visitor is invited to understand the work of this great figure of National painting and to unveil his influences. Our tour will end in the historic center of Porto, in the beautiful Infante D. Henrique square, where we will visit a very special Jewelry store. [On this route, if you wish to have a more in-depth experience, as long as the reservation is made at least 3 days in advance, it will be possible to take a Filigree workshop - where you will have the opportunity to create your own piece and bring it with you - and also to visit the workshop of a master craftsman.]