Centro Ciência Viva de Vila do Conde
Science centre housed in the former Cadeia Civil (civil prison) of Vila do Conde, a dodecagonal building, with an exhibition on water and workshops.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Centro Ciência Viva de Vila do Conde is housed in the former Cadeia Civil building, which has the form of a dodecagon and an inner courtyard covered by a glass skylight. The prison stopped operating in the seventies and, in March 2002, reopened as a Ciência Viva centre. The first prison recorded in the town dated from the 16th century; the new one, built in the early 20th century, followed an expropriation process begun in June 1903 on a plot on Rua das Donas.
The Associação Centro Ciência Viva de Vila do Conde was founded on 28 September 2001. Its members are Ciência Viva – Agência Nacional para a Cultura Científica e Tecnológica, the Municipality of Vila do Conde and the University of Porto; in March 2022 BIOPOLIS/CIBIO-InBIO joined. The centre is part of the national network of Ciência Viva centres and is open to the whole community, from researchers to families.
The programme is organised around four themes: water, river, sea and life. The exhibition “A Água no Corpo Humano: O Sangue” is part of the visit offer, and the centre also offers workshops, hands-on laboratories, science shows and programmes for schools.
Highlights
- Dodecagonal building of the former Cadeia Civil
- Exhibition “A Água no Corpo Humano: O Sangue”
- “Juntos em Ciência” workshops and hands-on laboratories
- Themes of water, river, sea and life
- Workshop cycles for families
Permanent exhibition
- A Água no Corpo Humano: O Sangue – Exhibition on the role of water and blood in the human body, part of the centre's visit offer.
- Founded
- 2002
- Operated by
- Associação Centro Ciência Viva de Vila do Conde
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3.50Seniors over 65; young people up to 18 pay €4. |
| Children & teens | €4free up to age 3 · Young people up to 18; free admission up to age 3. |
| Seniors | €3.50Over 65. |
| Groups (11+ people) | €4 per personGroups of more than 10 people: adults €4, seniors €3.30, school pupils €3.50 (2 teachers per class free of charge). |
| Families | €152 adults and 2 children. |
| “Juntos em Ciência” workshops (up to 3 participants) | €15€5 per additional participant. |
| Hands-on laboratories / STEAM workshops, school groups | €4Per pupil. |
Prices for the exhibition “A Água no Corpo Humano: O Sangue”. The centre has a solidarity ticket office of the Ciência Viva network.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 3 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €15 · 2 adults and 2 children. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
There is a family ticket and the workshop cycle “Água vai!” for families.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Santa Clara (metro) · 100 m
Porto Metro, line B, Santa Clara station; the centre is about 100 metres from the station, to the left of the roundabout.
By car via the A28 or the N13, towards the roundabout of Santa Clara metro station.
Get directionsAmenities & 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
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | There is curricular support, workshops and laboratories for schools. |
