The Municipality of Leiria received, last Wednesday, October 7th, two 'Autarquia do Ano' Awards, an initiative by ECO and Grupo Mosqueteiros. The awards were given to the projects “Villa Portela” and “Fora de Portas”, in the categories of Culture and Heritage – Heritage Conservation and Culture and Heritage – Cultural Festivals and Events, respectively.
The award ceremony took place at the Belém Cultural Center in Lisbon, where the Municipality of Leiria was represented by the Mayor, Gonçalo Lopes. The “Villa Portela” project was recognized for the rehabilitation, requalification, restoration, and conservation work on this historic space, transforming it into the current Villa Portela Arts Center, inaugurated in September 2025. The “Fora de Portas” project, in turn, was acknowledged for the response developed by municipal teams to ensure the continuity of cultural and educational activities during the temporary closure of museums and cultural facilities, following disruptions caused by depression Kristin.
Gonçalo Lopes highlighted that the awards recognize a path that places culture at the strategic center of the municipality's development, promoting proximity, inclusion, identity, creation, and innovation. "These distinctions are a recognition of the work we have been developing in Leiria, positioning culture as a strategic axis of proximity, inclusion, identity, creation, and innovation, with an impact on people's lives and the future of the municipality," he stated.
The Mayor also emphasized the importance of preserving heritage while simultaneously creating new forms of cultural access. The “Fora de Portas” project exemplifies this vision, transforming an adverse situation into an opportunity to strengthen the connection between Culture and Education, stimulate creativity and critical thinking, and deepen young people's engagement with the territory's cultural identity. This path, uniting heritage, education, participation, and creation, is what Leiria aims to continue building, in line with its bid for Portuguese Capital of Culture 2028.
Villa Portela, built in 1894 and classified as a Monument of Municipal Interest in 2019, underwent rehabilitation works initiated in 2022. The main building now houses exhibition areas, a library, a reading room, and a café, while the exterior spaces have been restored with areas for events, an open-air auditorium, and a children's zone.
The “Fora de Portas” project was created in response to the closure of municipal museums and cultural facilities due to depression Kristin. Educational teams adapted content for itinerant activities brought to the municipality's schools between March 25th and June 27th, 2026. The initiative involved 1389 students from 67 classes across 22 educational establishments, ensuring access to local art, heritage, and history.
These awards reinforce Leiria's journey in its bid for Portuguese Capital of Culture 2028, with a vision of culture as a space for proximity, inclusion, valuing identity and heritage, and stimulating creation and innovation.
