Electric Car Museum

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Porto > Porto > Porto > Massarelos

Location

Situated in the Massarelos area, in the city of Porto, the museum occupies the historic premises of the former Thermoelectric Power Plant. Its proximity to the banks of the Douro River provides a unique atmosphere to its surroundings, connecting the industrial history of transport to the city's riverside landscape.

The Former Power Plant

The museum is housed in the building that was once the Massarelos Thermoelectric Power Plant, inaugurated in 1915. This plant played a fundamental role in Porto's history, serving for decades as the energy source that powered the growing electric traction network. The building's original structure has been preserved, allowing visitors to explore spaces like the Engine Room, a tangible testament to the city's energy past.

A Journey Through Time on Rails

Inside, the museum presents a collection of vehicles that tell the history of public rail transport in Porto. It includes various models of electric trams and trailers that circulated throughout the city for over a century. These historic specimens, preserved in their original environment (the former power plant), offer a visual perspective on the technical evolution and design of these emblematic vehicles.

Porto and the Electric Tram

The museum's exhibition reveals the deep connection between the implementation of the electric tram network and the social and economic transformations of the city of Porto. Exploring the space means understanding how this mode of transport shaped urban life, facilitating mobility and contributing to the development of the "Invicta". The narrative of the permanent exhibition "Entre Linhas" intertwines the history of electricity generated on site with the movement of trams through the urban fabric.

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