At the beginning of the 16th century 12 new blacksmith shops were established in Rua Nova, where several Jewish craftsman carried out their activity after having been expelled from Spain years before and forcibly converted to Christianity. These were called New Christians.
In the 50's, in this street, five of those ironworks were still operating. Among them was the one belonging to the Tapadejo's family, which is now also a museum.

The last blacksmith to work in this ironworks was Master Carolino Tapadejo, who worked here and gave it its soul between 1945 and 2001. During this time, Master Carolino Tapadejo taught his art to about 50 apprentices.

Due to his amazing ironwork skills and the capacity of tackling the most traditional and the most recent molding techniques - Master Carolino, who received the workshop from his father, João Tapadejo, soon rose became well known in many countries where his works of art designed and produced by him were sent. Many of his artworks travelled to Germany, Japan, France or United States, among other countries.

In his workshop and in his house, he often welcomed many visitors coming from all over the world, to whom he showed his ironworks with which he furnished his sitting room.

To perpetuate Master Carolino's memory and that of all those who throughout the centuries dedicated their lives to working iron - often under terrible surviving conditions - his sons: Carolino, Mateus and José Alberto set up a partnership with Junta de Freguesia de S. João Baptista (the local parish) to start a workshop, which is at the same time a museum with the display of his tool collection for the people of his town and outsiders to savor and relish. The family donated all the exhibits, some of them are over 500 years old.

Under certain circumstances it will be also possible to watch demonstrations of foundry work.