Memory Space
During the Second World War Portugal took no side on the war. Because it was a neutral country, Portugal was chosen by many Jews who were looking for refuge. Although the Government tried to stop the Jews of entering in our country, legend tells that Aristides de Sousa Mendes (Portuguese Diplomat) was the Portuguese Schindler, because he gave more than 10 thousand Jews the visa to get into Portugal.
Cascais was one of the favorite places: warm weather and warm people brought to this village personalities as Antoine de Saint Exupéry (author The Little Prince) and Grand Duchess of Luxemburg.
In memory of all the war refugees it was built in 1999 the Museum Espaço Memória – Memory Space, which is actually a place where memories tell their stories trough a collection of documents, photos and objects from the war time and the jews who found a new home in Cascais.
This Museum was created with the help of the Municipal Historic Archive of Cascais, which had more than 6 thousand records from hotels and photos.
The Museum has two main rooms: the room with the permanent exhibition about the Jews who came to Portugal, including the known personalities. And the auditorium were you can visit temporary exhibition about themes connected with Second World War subject: dictatorship, Jewish religion, refugees and so on.
Nowadays it is planed a Library specialized in exile, refugees and Second World War, where the investigators, journalists and historians will be able to access to publications and documents about the 20th Century and its important historic moments as well as documents about Cascais history and its role in this specific time.
Note: this museum has access to disabled people.