- TURY.CLUB
- Tourist Objects
- Portugal
- Пениши
- National Museum of Resistance and Freedom
The National Museum of Resistance and Freedom (Museu Nacional Resistência e Liberdade) is housed within the historic fortress of Peniche, perched on the Atlantic coast of western Portugal. More than a museum, it is a place where the story of Portugal’s fight against dictatorship and its path toward democracy comes vividly to life.
Originally built in the 16th century as a coastal defense fort, the site later became one of the most notorious political prisons during Salazar’s regime. Those who dared to oppose the regime — journalists, intellectuals, union leaders, and activists — were imprisoned here. Around 3,000 individuals passed through its cells over the decades of repression.
Today, the museum recreates the conditions of the prison era. Visitors can walk through reconstructed cells, view personal belongings, letters, photos, and documents that tell stories of resistance and endurance. A wall of remembrance lists the names of former inmates, serving as a quiet yet powerful tribute to those who suffered for freedom.
Beyond the permanent exhibition, the museum hosts educational programs, temporary exhibits, and public discussions on human rights and 20th-century history. It is a place not only for observation but for reflection — on the cost of democracy, the courage of dissent, and the enduring importance of remembering the past.
