Capelinhos Museum

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Açores > Horta > Capelo > Capelinhos

Location

The Capelinhos Museum is located in the Capelinhos area, in the locality of Capelo, municipality of Horta, on Faial Island. Its location is intrinsically linked to the volcanic landscape resulting from the 1957/58 eruption, offering direct contact with this unique territory and a view of the Capelinhos Lighthouse.

Integration into the Landscape

The Capelinhos Museum building was designed to integrate harmoniously into the territory. Most of the structure is buried, thus respecting the surrounding volcanic landscape and preserving its visual uniqueness. This architectural choice, designed by Nuno Ribeiro Lopes, allows visitors to focus on the impact and history of the site, without the interference of a prominent surface construction.

A Journey through Volcanology

Inside the Museum, there is an exhibition path with a didactic and scientific character. The exhibits address the eruption of the Capelinhos Volcano in 1957-58, an event that had a significant impact on the history of global volcanology. In addition to this central focus, the space explores the formation of the Azores archipelago, presents examples of notable volcanoes in other parts of the globe, and tells the history of Azorean lighthouses. There are interactive elements that enrich the learning experience about these natural phenomena and local history.

A Glimpse of the Recent Landscape

Complementing the visit to the interior space, the Capelinhos Lighthouse, adjacent to the museum, offers the opportunity to climb to its top. From here, it is possible to have an elevated and wide perspective of the surrounding landscape, dominated by the volcanic ashes and rocks resulting from the eruption. This view allows one to understand the scale of the geological phenomenon and appreciate the uniqueness of this newly formed territory.

Value and Recognition

The Capelinhos Museum is recognized for its quality and scientific and cultural relevance. In 2012, it was nominated by the European Museum Forum for the European Museum of the Year Award, highlighting the importance of its role in disseminating knowledge and interpreting this unique natural phenomenon. It also functions as a Science Center, contributing to the education and understanding of volcanology.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt