Museum Militar, Busaco

This is the most exciting museum I have yet to visit, being, as it is, devoted exclusively to the Peninsula War. In every room are excellent life-size models clothed in uniforms of the Portugese Army. These include the Lusitanian Legion, and some of the volunteer corps formed for the defence of Portugal in 1810. Of the regular army, the Cacadores, the Line Infantry and Artillery are all represented but strangely not the Cavalry. There is also a model of a British Light Infantry Officer.

Around the walls are prints depicting scenes from throughout the period of the Peninsular War and hanging above them a collection of Portugese infantry and cavalry flags. There are also weapons, figurines, maps and medals; British as well as Portugese. Safely protected in a glass cabinet is an old Osprey Men-At-Arms book Portugesc Armies of the Napoleonic Wars! Obviously a valuable relic!

In one of the rooms is a small diorama representing the Battle of Busaco that makes use of British and French Airfix 00 scale of figures (conveniently ignoring the presence of the Portugese at the battle). The centre-piece of the entire collection however, is a truly inspiring full-scale replica of a 9-pounder cannon with its crew of Portugese gunners. This alone is worth the entry fee of 150 Escudos. In a glass anteroom at the side of the museum are two more replica, but authentically grubby-looking, 9 pounders.

Photography is permitted and there are books and postcards for sale in the foyer.

Museum Militar, Lisbon

After the exciting display at Busaco, the Museu Militar at Lisbon was a considerable disappointment. All that either I or the female guide could discover that appertained to the Napoleonic period was a single Busaco-style model of a Portugese infantryman, a French Gribeauval pattern 6-pounder field piece dated 1793, and two French 6.5 inch howitzers dated 1811 and 1812.

Photography is not permitted which makes it scarcely worth the 150 Escudos (about 75p) entry fee.

Municipal Museum, Obidos

The magnificent walled town of Obidos, near where the first skirmish of the Peninsular war involving British troops took place, has dedicated one of its rooms to the war. It contains British and French muskets, a Baker rifle complete with sword-bayonet, dragoon swords, pistols, carbines, halberds and pikes. There is also a relief map of the Lines of Torres Vedras. The most interesting item in the room is listed as Portugese cavalry drum. Did the Portugese cavalry have drummers?

Photography is permitted, though the room is very poorly lit. The entry fee is a bargain at 100 Escudos.

John also informs me that the museum at Torres Vedras also houses a few relics from the war; weapons, musket balls and some paintings.

More Dusty Archive

Dusty Archive Introduction
Napoleonic Holiday Tours
Museums Militaire: Busaco, Lisbon, Obidos
Ordes of Battle
Book: Wellington in the Peninsula