Museu Marítimo de Sesimbra

About the museum

The Museu Marítimo de Sesimbra opened to the public in 2016 in the Fortaleza de Santiago, an emblematic building that is itself linked to the sea. The municipal project grew out of close work with the fishing community, which lent many of the objects on display, from boats and ship chandleries, and helped gather information. A year after opening, the museum received an honourable mention and two awards at the Museu do Ano prize of the Associação Portuguesa de Museologia.

The route presents the history of Sesimbra and its relationship with the sea over roughly five thousand years. The oldest pieces are a Roman anchor stock, associated with Roman navigation, and a set of fish hooks and net weights dated between 2500 and 200 BC. Other areas cover fishers' voyages, maritime devotions, fishing techniques, shipbuilding, the Parque Marinho and King D. Carlos.

The museum occupies several spaces in the fortress: the Sala do Rei Pescador, the Sala do Parque Marinho Professor Luiz Saldanha, the Sala do Mar Antigo, the Sala das Artes de Pesca, the Sala da Construção Naval, the Sala da Memória e da Devoção and the Sala da Viagem, as well as a 3D film. Using new technologies, visitors can also consult a database on the fishers. The reception is next to the Posto de Turismo (tourist information point), at the entrance to the monument.

Highlights

• Roman anchor stock and fish hooks and net weights from 2500–200 BC
• Rooms on fishing arts, shipbuilding and devotion
• Sala do Rei Pescador on D. Carlos and the sea
• 3D film “Desde o Princípio”
• Housed in the Fortaleza de Santiago, distinguished by the Associação Portuguesa de Museologia

Permanent exhibition

• Exposição permanente do Museu Marítimo de Sesimbra – Rooms on the ancient sea, fishing arts, shipbuilding, fishers' memory and devotion, the Parque Marinho and King D. Carlos, with a 3D film.

Founded

2016

Operated by

Município de Sesimbra

Admission & discounts

Ticket €3; free admission for residents of the municipality of Sesimbra. Tickets are bought at reception, next to the Posto de Turismo at the entrance to the fortress.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Information on accessibility is not given on the page consulted.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the Fortaleza de Santiago in Sesimbra; reception is next to the Posto de Turismo, at the entrance to the monument.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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