THE LIDC

The Leiria Intercultural Dialogue Centre seeks to interpret the presence of three central religions in Leiria over the centuries.

The museum serves to pay homage to the coexistence of Christianity, Judaism and Islam in the region, a marker of development and multiculturalism that lives on to this day thanks to the way in which various migrant communities are welcomed into the area, and the economic contributions they provide.

The LIDC is divided into 2 sections.

Misericórdia Church (Church of Mercy), which was built on the site of Leiria’s Jewish community’s Synagogue in 1544 and is one of the 12 main sites of the 25 that make up the Sefarad Routes project, considered “vital” for the success of the Portuguese Network of Jewish Quarters.

The project also focuses on the multicultural memories of the people of Leiria, such as those of New Christian poet Francisco Rodrigues Lobo and Father Joaquim Carreira, who saved dozens of people of Hebrew origin during World War II.

A recreation of the Orta family’s printing press can be admired in the centre, where scientific work by Abraham Zacuto, his “Almanach Perpetuum”, or astronomical tables, was printed for the first time in Portugal, as well as the memory of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia charity itself, complementing the project, which stretches all the way to Casa dos Pintores (Artists’ House).

The latter’s name comes from the large number of artists who have painted the building’s facade over its long history – it being piece of relevant historical architecture as one of the few remaining buildings that testify to the oldest forms of architecture that would once have made up this urban fabric.

LOCATION
> Igreja da Misericórdia
Rua Miguel Bombarda, n.º 15
2400-190 Leiria
GPS: 39°44’42.9″N | 8°48’27.9″W
How to get here: http://bit.ly/2vL3zzC

> Casa dos Pintores (temporariamente encerrada)
Rua Acácio de Paiva, n.º2 A
2400-076 Leiria
GPS: 39º44’43.11″N | 8º48’25.85″W
How to get here: http://bit.ly/2vL3zzC

OPENING TIMES
> Monday to Friday: 9:30am – 12:30pm | 2 – 5:30pm
> Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays:  2 – 5:30pm
> Guided tours by prior appointment

FREE ENTRY

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
> Site: Câmara Municipal de Leiria
> Phone no.: 244 839 628
> E-mail: cdil@cm-leiria.pt