São Tomé National Museum
Forte de São Sebastião
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 Location within São Tomé
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| Established | 1575 (fortress) late 1970s (museum) |
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| Location | São Tomé, São Tomé Island, São Tomé and Príncipe |
| Coordinates | Coordinates: 0°20′45″N 6°44′22″E / 0.34583°N 6.73944°E |
| Type | National Museum |
| Collections | culture, local, artistry |
São Sebastião Museum is a museum and fort in São Tomé and Príncipe in the city of São Tomé in the southernmost part of Ana Chaves Bay. It contains religious art and colonial-era artifacts.
The museum was opened on July 11, 1976, one of the first in the nation.
The fort was first built in 1575 and was the first fort in the island of São Tomé.
A lighthouse was built in 1866, it was rebuilt in 1928 and was restored in 1994.
The fort was rebuilt in the late 1950s with a project by the architect Luís Benavente who was colonial governor at the time. In 1960, it was under the Command of the Provincial Maritime Defense.
The fort is square shaped with pentagolan brathwait in the vertical edges in the Vauban style.
By the fort are the three statues of the discoverers of the island including João de Santarém, Pêro Escobar and João de Paiva. These statues were moved from the squares and gardens of the city after the nation became independent.
The museum highlights African and Portuguese history. In one room, voodoo related culture are displayed. In one room, sacred Catholic art are displayed.
Contemporary art paintings by Manuela Vigôço from 1945 are displayed.
A permanent exposition titled Casa das tortugas (House of turtles) which features sea turtles since 2004.
Photos and documents from the Batepá massacre which happened in 1953 are displayed in the museum.
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Wikipedia