As one of the oldest towns in Portugal, with a history of Roman settlement recorded since the year 16 AD,[1] Idanha-a-Velha (Idanha "the old") has been described as a "modest village with a rich historical background".

It is located in the grounds of the old olive press in the south-eastern part of the village and was set up to show the collection, which before was at Santa Maria Church or the Cathedral.

The new museum project made it possible to study and publish this important collection and organise the exhibition Verba Volant, Scripta Manent (words fly but writing endures).

Scientific accuracy made it necessary to offer effective access to the contents to a wide audience and so an interactive exhibition was designed where technology helps to contextualize and interpret the pieces.

[4] The presence of a primitive basilica (Roman church) constructed in the 4th century influenced King Theodemar of the Suebic Kingdom of Galicia (+570) to choose this town as see when he created the Diocese of Egitânia no later than 559–569.

In 715 however, the diocese was suppressed (possibly with an apostolic succession of errant bishops), due to the Moorish invasion of Iberia, rendering the church's cathedral function mute.