Words Room

In this room, two writers connected to Bombarral are honoured, separated by centuries but united by the power of the word and their contribution to Portuguese literature.

The first is Anrique da Mota (c. 1470 – c. 1545), squire of King Manuel I, guardian of orphans in Óbidos, and court clerk. He became notable in the farce, a brief and comedic theatrical genre, very popular in his time. His work is included in the Cancioneiro Geral by Garcia de Resende, published in 1514, which gathers poetry and satirical texts from the greatest authors of the sixteenth-century court.

The second is Júlio César Machado (1835–1890), a writer born in Lisbon but with strong ties to Bombarral. He was a man of letters with a great passion for theatre, standing out as a columnist, short story writer, playwright, novelist, translator, and poet. His chronicles portray everyday and cultural life of nineteenth-century society with humour and sensitivity, especially the world of the theatre.

His adoration of nature, profound empathy with the countryside, sensitivity, ability to see the intimate side of simple things, and ease in capturing the joyful aspects of moments allowed him to write with a light and captivating style, combining the bustle of a big city with the undeniable beauty and tranquility of the countryside. From his vast body of work, the books Contos ao luar (1861) and Scenas da minha terra (1862) stand out.

The exhibition proposes a meeting of two eras and two styles, revealing how writing, in its various forms, reflects not only the individuality of the authors but also the spirit of the time and the identity of a territory.