Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Coimbra > Coimbra > Coimbra > Alta
The Zoological Museum is located in the upper part of Coimbra city, an area intimately connected to the University. It is set within the historical and academic context of the university hub, in a location that reflects the antiquity and importance of the institution's scientific collections.
This space houses a large zoological collection, considered one of the most important in the country. It gathers approximately two hundred thousand specimens of various animal species, with a particular focus on invertebrates. As visitors walk through the rooms, they will find an impressive variety of specimens, from animals preserved in liquid to skeletons and taxidermied animals, many of them displaying a wealth of detail and color.
A visit to the museum offers a unique opportunity to step back in time and observe how the old natural history cabinets were organised in the 18th and 19th centuries. The specimens are displayed in original period cabinets, which served both to store and showcase the collections. Furthermore, it is possible to see a preserved classroom, which helps to understand the teaching and research context of that period.
Among the many specimens that make up the collection, some particularly capture attention. Noteworthy, for example, is the imposing skeleton of a whale, twenty meters long. The collection also includes species now extinct in Portugal, such as the bear and the Gerês goat, offering a glimpse into the fauna that once inhabited the territory. The variety of birds and butterflies, with their shapes and colors, is another point of interest.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.2089072,-8.4241509
Coordinates DMS: 40°12'32.1"N 08°25'26.9"W
Weather Coimbra
On-duty Pharmacy Coimbra
