Chapelaria Museum wins Portuguese Museum of the Year award

The Chapelaria Museum in São João da Madeira has been awarded the 2026 Museum of the Year Prize by the Portuguese Association of Museology (APOM). The award ceremony took place in Sesimbra, where other finalists, including the Armando Martins Contemporary Art Museum and the National Museum of Resistance and Freedom, received honorable mentions. The museum, dedicated to the history and industrial production of hats, was established in 2005 and is the only one of its kind in the Iberian Peninsula. It aims to preserve the heritage of the hat-making community, known as 'Unhas Negras'. The museum recently underwent renovations to enhance accessibility and visitor experience, including the introduction of new interpretative resources. It has previously received multiple honors from APOM, recognizing its contributions to cultural and educational outreach.