Porto Puppet Museum

Porto Puppet Museum, at Rua de Belomonte 61 in Porto’s historic centre, brings together puppets and objects from the productions of the local Marionetas do Porto theatre company. You can see the designs up close, watch clips from performances on information screens, and try hands-on activities, including making your own puppet show. The compact museum suits a short stop and gives children and adults a closer look at how stage characters are created. It is next to the theatre, where the puppets are still used in performances.

Puppets from a Porto theatre company

The museum presents puppets and other objects connected with Marionetas do Porto, the local puppet theatre company. Its collection includes creations by João Paulo Seara Cardoso, who founded the Porto Puppet Theatre. Among the named works are puppets from Cinderela, Bichos do Bosque and Macbeth.

The museum opened in 2013. It is at Rua de Belomonte 61, close to the Belomonte Theatre, the theatre company’s headquarters. Some of the puppets on display are still used in performances there.

Displays and hands-on activities

The exhibits include puppets, props and painted designs from stage productions. Information screens show clips from performances and explain details of selected puppets, including their design and links to local traditions. Screens are available in multiple languages.

You can also try the interactive areas, including an activity where you create a puppet show. Families can make time for children to handle puppets as part of the visit. The museum is compact, so it works as a short stop while exploring this part of Porto.