Botanical Museum (Natural History Museum)

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Coimbra > Coimbra > Coimbra > Alta

Location

At the heart of Coimbra's upper town, the Botanical Museum is integrated into the city's vast and historic university complex. Its privileged location, in Coimbra's upper town, offers a serene environment conducive to contemplation, being surrounded by buildings of great academic and cultural significance. The surroundings are marked by the imposing ancient constructions and the tranquility of the university spaces, inviting a visit that extends beyond its doors, absorbing the scholarly atmosphere of the area.

Heritage and Science

The history of this museum is intrinsically linked to the evolution of the study of botany and natural sciences in Portugal. It constitutes a legacy of generations of naturalists and researchers who, over the centuries, dedicated themselves to the cataloging and preservation of plant diversity, both national and international. It is a valuable repository of scientific knowledge, reflecting the importance that the University of Coimbra has always attributed to research and the dissemination of knowledge in the field of natural history.

The Botanical Collections

Inside, visitors will find a rich collection, encompassing vast herbarium collections, flora specimens from various provenances, and scientific instruments used in the study of botany over time. The exhibitions invite discovery of the extraordinary richness of the plant kingdom, from the most common to the rarest species, and understanding of its fundamental importance for life on the planet. They allow for a fascinating journey through the world of plants and the way they have been studied and classified.

A Space for Discovery

The building housing the Botanical Museum presents architectural characteristics that reflect the era of its construction and its adaptations over time. It is a space designed for education and research, where functionality combines with an environment that invites learning and admiration for science. Exploring its rooms is to delve into a universe of knowledge, where each exhibited piece tells a part of natural history and the human dedication to its understanding and preservation.

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