Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Setúbal > Setúbal > Azeitão (São Lourenço e São Simão)
The Professor Luís Saldanha Oceanographic Museum is strategically located in the Fort of Santa Maria da Arrábida, a coastal fortress situated in the municipality of Setúbal, more specifically in the area of Azeitão (São Lourenço and São Simão).
This privileged site is nestled in the heart of the stunning Arrábida Natural Park, offering an exceptional landscape. Its location allows for a complete immersion in the natural beauty of the Portuguese coast, with direct views over the Atlantic Ocean.
The Professor Luís Saldanha Oceanographic Museum is housed in the historic Fort of Santa Maria da Arrábida, a remarkable defensive structure dating back to the 17th century. This fort, built to protect the Arrábida Convent and the adjacent small harbour, is now an essential part of the national historical heritage, recognized as a Property of Public Interest since 1977.
The fort's unique architecture, with its organic polygonal layout, is intrinsically adapted to the coastal terrain. While exploring the museum's spaces, it is possible to observe the original features of the fortress, such as the chapel housing a statue of Our Lady carved in Lioz stone, the remains of the hexagonal earthwork battery, and the various areas that have been adapted to host the museum's exhibitions.
The Fort of Santa Maria da Arrábida, after a refurbishment carried out at the end of the 20th century, was transformed into the Professor Luís Saldanha Oceanographic Museum. This space is entirely dedicated to marine biology and the crucial task of disseminating the vast underwater heritage that characterizes both the surrounding region and the national territory.
Inside, the museum invites visitors on an enriching journey through various exhibitions and aquariums that reveal the secrets of the ocean and marine life. Here, visitors have the opportunity to closely observe the rich biodiversity that thrives in the coastal waters, allowing for a deep understanding of this fascinating underwater environment.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forte_de_Santa_Maria_da_Arrábida
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.47371522054412,-8.982863646937973
Coordinates DMS: 38°28'25.4"N 08°58'58.3"W
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