Museu Geológico
Museum of geology and palaeontology of the LNEG, housed in the former Convento de Jesus, with 19th-century collections and a preserved 19th-century museography.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museu Geológico dates from 1859, when the Comissão Geológica do Reino moved into the Convento de Nossa Senhora de Jesus, of the Third Order of Saint Francis, in Lisbon. Its collections grew out of specimens gathered during the work of the geological commissions and, later, of the Serviços Geológicos de Portugal, the Instituto Geológico e Mineiro and, today, the Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia (LNEG).
The arrangement of the collections, the display furniture and the interior architecture reflect 19th-century museology, of which few examples remain in Europe, which led experts to call it a “museum of museums”. Among the pioneers of Portuguese geology, whose work gave rise to the reference collections, are Carlos Ribeiro, Nery Delgado and Paul Choffat.
The museum is part of the Rede Portuguesa de Museus and was classified in 2010 as a Property of Public Interest, for the scientific value of its collections and its 19th-century display ensemble. It holds collections of palaeontology, mineralogy, lithology, Portuguese stratigraphy, prehistoric archaeology and scientific instruments; in 2026, the collection of Jurassic mammals and small vertebrates from the Guimarota mine was recognised as an IUGS Geo-collection.
Highlights
- Preserved 19th-century museography, the “museum of museums”
- Collections of palaeontology, mineralogy and lithology
- Portuguese fossils in the exhibition “Portugal antes do Homem”
- Guimarota mine collection, recognised as an IUGS Geo-collection
- Collection of scientific instruments and prehistoric archaeology
Permanent exhibition
- Portugal antes do Homem – Eighteen display units trace the periods of Earth's history, with a focus on Portuguese territory and including some of the country's main fossils.
- Founded
- 1859
- Operated by
- LNEG – Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2.50Pensioners and students (individual visitors). |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 9 · Children under 10 enter free. |
| Seniors | €2.50Pensioners. |
| Students & apprentices | €2.50Individual students. |
| Groups | €1.50 per personSchool class: €1.50 per pupil; teachers accompanying pupils enter free. |
The “Circuitos Ciência Viva” card gives 50% off individual adult, pensioner and student tickets. Payment is by cash only.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Lockers
Bags, other items and umbrellas must be left in a locker.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Flash photography is not allowed, and filming requires prior authorisation. |
| Good to know | Guided visits for schools and groups (15 to 25 people) require prior booking by email. Animals, eating and drinking are not permitted, and touching the exhibits is not allowed. |
