These initiatives are absolutely fantastic for everyone, as the artworks create a beautiful atmosphere, while the artists are able to feel seen and valued in these spaces.

But there is usually far more than just artwork on display; the houses of culture are also home to everything from poetry to music.


A particularly large house of culture can be found in the Portuguese capital of surfing, in Ericeira. Here, multiple art galleries, an auditorium and even a library are all under one roof. Named after a city legend, the historian and musician Jaime Lobo e Silva, it has been a house of culture since 1996! So it comes as no surprise that since opening it has managed to accumulate an estimated 30,000 books within its walls, while also hosting a wide variety of cultural events.