Two brothers, Abel and João de Lacerda founded in the 1950's, a unusual museum in a small town called Caramulo, situated on a mountain in the center of Portugal with a luxuriant vegetation overlooking an 80 km valley: the vastest panoramic view of the country.

Abel de Lacerda, lover of art, has constructed a building based on the most recent concepts of modern museums so as to exhibit an unusual collection of arte: 500 objects that range from sculptures, furniture, ceramics and tapestries from the roman era to Picasso.

João de Lacerda, great automobile lover, constructs another building next to the first with the intention of exhibiting 100 cars and motorbikes that are easily taken in and out of the Museum for maintenance and demonstrations.

With the premature death of Abel de Lacerda in 1957, the Fundação Abel de Lacerda was created – today Fundação Abel e João de Lacerda – the institution that runs the Museu do Caramulo, with both buildings for Art and Automobiles, open to the public all year round. More than one million visitors have come to the Museu do Caramulo in its fifty years of existence.

Automobile Collection

The Automobile, Motorcycle and Bicycle Collection in the Museu do Caramulo started with João Lacerda, in 1955, when he bought a 1925 Ford Model T. The collection has grown ever since and is on show in the museum.

Given the success of the museum and its prestige, several pieces have been added to the collections due to the donations from private and public entities.

However, to be put on show each car must be completely restored and in full running condition, just like when it was manufactured. To achieve it the vehicles have to run at least once a year for maintenance purposes. The participation in various events, such as races, rallies, competitions orpublic demonstrations are crucial, not only to guarantee its correct roadworthy condition, but to reach out to the enthusiasts and general public with live and running pieces of history.

This was idea was taken in account, when the second building was constructed, to house the growing automobile collection. Its design allows each vehicle to exit easily, without restrictions.

The Museu do Caramulo has a permanent collection of 30 motorcycles, and 70 cars (of which 14 are vintage cars), representing 36 different makes and 7 countries. The oldest is an 1886 Benz and the most recent a Ferrari 456, of 1998. There are also collections of antique bicycles and tricycles.

Many of the cars on show are connected to the History of Portugal. In the permanent collection at the museum one can see:

* The oldest car in Portugal, still in running condition, an 1899 Peugeot;
* The Bugatti 35B that in 1931 established the speed record in Lehrfeld at more than 200 km/h;
* The bullet proof armoured Mercedes-Benz and Cadillac that were in the service of Oliveira Salazar;
* The Pegaso, given by General Francisco Franco to President Craveiro Lopes;
* The Chrysler Imperial belonging to the Portuguese Secret Service (PIDE) that was used in the escape from the Caxias Prison;
* The Renault that belonged to "conselheiro" João Franco;
* The Rolls-Royce that was used by Queen Elizabeth II, President Eisenhower, Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II during their state visits to Portugal;
* The Fiat offered to João de Lacerda, by the President of the Fiat Group.

How to get to Caramulo:
Lisbon > Highway A1> IP3 direction Tondela > Caramulo
Oporto > Highway A1> A25 direction Viseu > Caramulo

Were to stay in Caramulo:
Caramulo Hotel
Casa dos Arcos

About the Museu do Caramulo:
The Museu do Caramulo is open all year, except on Christmas Eve and on the morning of Christmas day, on the 1st of January, morning of Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.

Summer Timetable
From 10.00 to 13.00 and from 14.00 to 18.00

Winter Timetable
From 10.00 to 13.00 and from 14.00 to 17.00

Events include the Classic Car Festival in Lisbon and the Night at the Museum.