Escola Secundária Martins Sarmento

Did you know that this very building the Escola Secundária Martins Sarmento holds a piece of Guimarães’ rich history? It stands proudly as a testament to the legacy of Francisco Martins Sarmento a renowned archaeologist and writer. This school wasn’t always a place of learning. Before its inauguration in 1961 it housed the Liceu Nacional de Guimarães. Imagine the students of yesteryear walking these same halls. They learned their lessons in a different era. The school carries his name as a tribute. He was a man of great intellect. Martins Sarmento was a self-taught scholar. He passionately dedicated himself to archaeology. He meticulously explored the ancient citadels of Briteiros and Sabroso near Guimarães. He even identified the Castro das Eiras in Pousada de Saramagos. His work wasn’t without controversy. He challenged conventional academic views. For example he opposed the widespread belief in a Celtic presence in northern Portugal. He argued for a pre-Celtic origin possibly even Ligurian settlement. He supported this theory through classical literature like Avieno’s Ora Maritima and his own archaeological excavations. He highlighted the uniqueness of the castreja culture. This includes its habitat its ceramics and its warrior statues. His ideas sparked debate. His views clashed with linguists like Leite de Vasconcelos and Adolfo Coelho. Martins Sarmento also believed in a close connection between the castreja culture and the Micenean civilization. This is another point that fueled significant discussions among academics. Beyond archaeology Martins Sarmento was a cultured man. He pursued poetry and contributed to scientific journals and newspapers. His contributions can be found in publications like Renascença O Pantheon and Branco e Negro. He even participated in a scientific expedition to the Serra da Estrela in 1881. He was responsible for the archaeology section of the expedition organized by the Sociedade de Geografia de Lisboa. A significant portion of his archaeological finds and rare photographs are preserved in the Museu da Sociedade Martins Sarmento in Guimarães. These photos provide invaluable insights into the archaeology and ethnography of his time. Beginning his photography in 1868 he was a pioneer of scientific photography in Portugal especially in the area of epigraphy. His collaboration with Emil Hübner in collecting Latin inscriptions for the Corpus Inscriptionum Latinarum is particularly noteworthy. His legacy extends far beyond his scholarly pursuits. He refused the Order of Santiago. He’s remembered by the society bearing his name and of course this very school which embodies his spirit of inquiry and dedication to learning. The Escola Secundária Martins Sarmento is more than a school. It’s a living monument to a remarkable man. A man who dedicated his life to uncovering the past.