Aquamuseu do Rio Minho
Aquarium and museum in the Parque de Lazer do Castelinho on the life of the River Minho, with aquariums, an otter and the Museu das Pescas (Fisheries Museum).
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Aquamuseu do Rio Minho is a project of the Vila Nova de Cerveira municipal council, which grew out of a proposal made in 1991 by Dr Carlos Antunes: to create a public facility promoting the natural and cultural heritage associated with the River Minho. The project was developed with the Associação da Estação Hidrobiológica do Rio Minho and scientific institutions of the University of Porto, such as the Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar and the Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental.
The Aquamuseu opened on 13 July 2005 on the riverbank, in the Parque de Lazer do Castelinho, and has become one of the main tourist attractions in the municipality, with an average of around 25,000 visitors a year.
The aquariums, with volumes between 1,200 and 6,000 litres, simulate the course of the river from its source to its mouth: the upper zone with trout and boga, the middle zone with salmon and lampreys, the saltmarsh and the estuary sandbank with grey mullet and flatfish, and a tidal pool with sea bass, sea bream and anemones. In the Lontrário (otter enclosure) lives an otter, Eureka. At the entrance, the Museu das Pescas recalls the traditional fishing of the River Minho with models, tools, full-size instruments and photographs.
Highlights
- Aquariums that follow the River Minho from source to mouth
- Lontrário (otter enclosure) with the otter Eureka
- Museu das Pescas, with models and tools of traditional fishing
- Educational programmes for all school levels
- Located in the Parque de Lazer do Castelinho
Permanent exhibitions
- Aquário – Aquariums of 1,200 to 6,000 litres simulating the course of the River Minho from source to mouth, with the fish of each zone.
- Lontrário – Space for the otter Eureka, dedicated to the conservation of this mammal of the River Minho basin.
- Museu das Pescas – Models, tools, full-size instruments and photographs on boat building, nets and the crafts of traditional fishing.
- Founded
- 2005
- Operated by
- Município de Vila Nova de Cerveira
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €2 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €1.50Higher education students, holders of the Cartão Jovem, and people over 65 or pensioners. |
| Children & teens | €0.50free up to age 4 · Children and young people aged 5 to 18 pay €0.50; children up to age 4 do not pay. |
| Seniors | €1.50Adults over 65 or pensioners. |
| Students & apprentices | €1.50Higher education students and holders of the Cartão Jovem. |
| Groups (5+ people) | €1.50 per personGroups of at least 5 people: €1.50 per person with a guide and €1.00 without a guide. |
| School visit with guide (per pupil) | €1 |
| School visit without guide (per pupil) | €0.50 |
Residents of the municipality of Vila Nova de Cerveira enter free.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
The aquariums and the otter make the visit suitable for children; the museum offers educational programmes for all school levels.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided visits are available for schools and other groups. The programme “Aprende no Aquamuseu” (“Learn at the Aquamuseu”) offers activities for pre-school and for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd cycles and secondary education. |
