Bragança Science Centre

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Bragança > Bragança > Bragança > Sé, Santa Maria e Meixedo

Location

The Bragança Interactive Science Centre is located in the city of the same name, in the Sé, Santa Maria e Meixedo area. Its buildings, situated on the banks of the Fervença River, take advantage of the beauty and natural power of this watercourse, fitting into a distinctive urban and riverside landscape. This location allows the Centre's spaces to interact directly with the natural and historical environment that surrounds them.

Buildings with History and Innovation

This Centre is integrated into two notable spaces, each with its own history. The main building, a creation of architects José Carlos Nunes de Oliveira and Noémi Sá, stands on the site where, in 1914, a pioneering hydroelectric power plant began generating energy for the city, using the force of the Fervença River waters. Today, this modern infrastructure maintains a strong commitment to sustainability, being an intelligent and eco-efficient building that minimizes its energy consumption. It has its own micro-hydroelectric plant that contributes to its energy autonomy, showing how current technology can dialogue with heritage and nature.

The Legacy of Silk and Innovation

One of the components of the Centre is the Casa da Seda (Silk House), a traditional building that once served as a cereal mill and, later, as a dye works. This space revives the rich memory of the silk industry in Trás-os-Montes, an activity with roots in the 15th century, when the region was an important hub for silkworm rearing and fabric dyeing. The Casa da Seda offers a journey through the history of this industry, contrasting its architecture with exhibitions that cover the life cycle of the silkworm and the application of new technologies, such as the creation of a "model house" that demonstrates innovative solutions for the future.

Themes and Discoveries

The Bragança Interactive Science Centre is dedicated to themes such as energy, the environment, and the circular economy. Its permanent exhibitions, presented in interactive modules, allow visitors to explore scientific concepts in an engaging way. Furthermore, the Centre offers immersive experiences, including the use of virtual reality, which transports visitors to diverse natural landscapes and allows for an in-depth understanding of scientific phenomena, linking knowledge to the experience of the territory.

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