Natural History Museum of the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Porto > Porto > Porto > Campo Alegre

Location

This museum is located in the Campo Alegre area, a part of the city of Porto known for the presence of several University of Porto facilities. Its location benefits from its proximity to the Porto Botanical Garden, with which it shares physical space and establishes a natural thematic connection. It is housed in buildings that are part of the university's heritage in this area.

Origin and Vocation

The museum, in its current form, resulted from the consolidation of different exhibition nuclei and historical collections of the University of Porto, established in 2015. It has its roots in the city's long tradition of teaching and research in the natural and exact sciences. It functions as a living space, seeking to showcase the evolution and diversity of the natural world, but also how it relates to culture and human activity over time.

It is a university museum, which gives it a direct link to knowledge production and scientific research. In addition to preserving and studying a vast heritage, it has a strong outreach and educational component, also functioning as a Ciência Viva Centre, bringing science closer to the public in an interactive and captivating way.

A Look at Biodiversity

In Campo Alegre, the museum features a hub dedicated to biodiversity, known as the Biodiversity Gallery. This space invites exploration into the richness and complexity of life on planet Earth, from the simplest organisms to the most complex ecosystems. It is not limited to displaying static collections; the exhibitions are designed to stimulate curiosity and reflection on life phenomena and its incredible diversity.

The Exhibition Experience

A visit to the Biodiversity Gallery offers a distinct perspective on natural history. The exhibitions are conceived with a strong visual and conceptual component, seeking to present science in an engaging way. The exhibition design integrates artistic elements and installations that help tell the stories behind the specimens and scientific concepts. It is a way of seeing and understanding the natural world that combines scientific rigor with a creative and inspiring presentation, taking advantage of the atmosphere provided by the rehabilitation of the buildings that house it.

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