Centro Ciência Viva dos Arcos - Oficinas de Criatividade Himalaya
Science centre dedicated to Padre Himalaya, with an interpretive unit, a maze, a digital planetarium, a mineral exhibition and a science playground.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Centro Ciência Viva dos Arcos – Oficinas de Criatividade Himalaya opened on 12 May 2021 and results from the rehabilitation of the former secondary school of Arcos de Valdevez. It has been part of the Centros Ciência Viva network since 11 July 2022. It is dedicated to Padre Himalaya, a Portuguese scientist and inventor of the turn of the 19th century born in Arcos de Valdevez, and it promotes science, ecology and sustainability, with families, young people and schools as its main audiences.
The centre includes the Núcleo Interpretativo Himalaya, a documentary and biographical space, the Centro da Ecocidadania (Eco-citizenship Centre), the Labirinto Himalaya (Himalaya Maze), laboratories and a hemisphere (fulldome), a 360° projection dome with immersive film screenings. It also hosts the exhibition “Minerais e Rochas – Coleção Silva Ferreira” (Minerals and Rocks – Silva Ferreira Collection), with minerals, rocks, fossils and meteorites from several countries.
Outside, the Jardim Himalaya has a playground with equipment such as the Lunar Simulator and a replica of the Pirelióforo, the solar machine that Himalaya presented at the 1904 Universal Exposition in St. Louis.
Highlights
- Núcleo Interpretativo Himalaya, on the life and work of Padre Himalaya
- Hemisphere (fulldome) with 360° projection
- Labirinto Himalaya and Centro da Ecocidadania
- Exhibition “Minerais e Rochas – Coleção Silva Ferreira”
- Playground with Lunar Simulator and replica of the Pirelióforo
Permanent exhibitions
- Núcleo Interpretativo Himalaya – Documentary and biographical space on Padre Himalaya, with recent technological and informative resources.
- Minerais e Rochas – Coleção Silva Ferreira – Hundreds of minerals, rocks, fossils and meteorites from several countries, with information on the geology of Portugal and the evolution of life on Earth.
- Labirinto Himalaya – Science and teaching space dedicated to the figure of the scientist.
- Founded
- 2021
- Operated by
- Município de Arcos de Valdevez
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Playground / play area
The centre's main audiences are families, young people and schools. The outdoor playground includes equipment such as the Lunar Simulator.
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
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | There is an education programme with guided visits and workshops for pre-school, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd cycles and secondary school; school visits are booked through the centre. |
