Centro Ciência Viva de Estremoz
Science centre in the Convento das Maltezas in Estremoz, with the permanent exhibition “Terra, um Planeta Dinâmico” and hands-on activities.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Centro Ciência Viva de Estremoz occupies part of the Convento das Maltezas, also called São João da Penitência, on the Rossio Marquês de Pombal in the city centre. The sixteenth-century building, in the Gothic-Manueline style, is classified as a National Monument, especially the Claustro da Misericórdia, and was built mainly with local materials, notably Estremoz marble.
The centre grew out of a protocol between the Ministry of Science and Technology, the University of Évora and the Câmara Municipal de Estremoz, signed on 11 May 1998, and was inaugurated on 27 May 2005. It is one of the centres of the Ciência Viva network and is linked to the University of Évora.
The permanent exhibition, “Terra, um Planeta Dinâmico”, explains how the Earth formed and works, the energy of the planet and the relationship between geology and the region, including why there is marble in the Alentejo. The centre also organises temporary exhibitions, hands-on activities, visits to the quarry and to the Jardim de Pedra das Maltezas, birthday parties and the annual Ciência na Rua festival.
Highlights
- Permanent exhibition “Terra, um Planeta Dinâmico”
- Housed in the Convento das Maltezas, a National Monument
- Espaço T-Rex
- Visits to the quarry and the Jardim de Pedra das Maltezas
- Temporary exhibitions and hands-on activities
Permanent exhibition
- Terra, um Planeta Dinâmico – Interactive exhibition on the formation and workings of the Earth, the energy of the planet and the origin of the Alentejo's marble.
- Founded
- 2005
- Operated by
- Universidade de Évora / Rede Ciência Viva
Admission & discounts
| Groups | –School groups, per pupil: kindergarten €5; 1st and 2nd cycles €5.50; 3rd cycle and secondary €6; groups with special educational needs €5. One teacher per 15 pupils enters free of charge. |
|---|---|
| Visit to the Espaço T-Rex | €4Price per person (child/young person, adult and senior). |
Free admission: 16 May (National Scientist Day) and 24 November (National Day of Scientific and Technological Culture).
There is a “solidarity ticket office” (bilheteira solidária). The price of individual admission to the exhibition is not stated on the centre's price page.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Kids’ birthday parties
The centre welcomes visitors aged 2 to 102 and organises hands-on activities, birthday parties and programmes for schools.
Getting there & parking
By car
Coach parking on the street in front of the building.
The centre is in the city centre, on the Rossio Marquês de Pombal. By road, take the A6 to the Estremoz exit.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Shop with science outreach and geology products.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | School group visits are accompanied by science communicators and require a booking; visitors should arrive at least 30 minutes early. For the visit to the quarry, protective helmets must be worn; the centre provides them. |
