Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência

About the museum

The Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência (MUHNAC) is the public name of the University of Lisbon Museums unit, created in October 2011 by merging the Museu Nacional de História Natural and the Museu de Ciência. The building stands on the site of the Jesuit Noviciado da Cotovia, later the Real Colégio dos Nobres, the Escola Politécnica de Lisboa and the Faculdade de Ciências. From the earlier periods it preserves sacred art, the tomb of Fernão Telles de Menezes and the Real Picadeiro do Colégio dos Nobres (Royal Riding School), a building of public interest since 1978.

The scientific collections were brought together from 1858, when the Museu Nacional moved to the Escola Politécnica. The Lisbon Botanical Garden opened in 1878. In March 1978 a fire destroyed much of the main building and the zoology collections. Since 2012 the museum has been responsible for the Observatório Astronómico de Lisboa in Tapada da Ajuda and, since 2015, for the heritage of the former Instituto de Investigação Científica Tropical, including the Jardim Botânico Tropical in Belém.

The complex holds about 1.5 million objects and specimens and many kilometres of archives. The long-term exhibitions include “Entre Dinossáurios”, “SPECERE” and “Variações Naturais”.

Highlights

• “Entre Dinossáurios” exhibition, with a simulated palaeontological dig for families
• “Variações Naturais”, a journey through the landscapes and protected areas of Portugal
• “SPECERE”, on the role of collections in conservation
• Real Picadeiro of the Colégio dos Nobres and the 19th-century Laboratorio Chimico
• Lisbon Botanical Garden with the Garden of the Senses

Permanent exhibitions

• Entre Dinossáurios – Palaeontology exhibition with dinosaurs, used in simulated dig activities and a field notebook for families.
• SPECERE – Exhibition on the importance of scientific collections for nature conservation.
• Variações Naturais – uma viagem pelas paisagens de Portugal – Journey through Portugal’s protected areas to observe the diversity of plants and animals and their relationships.

Founded

1926

Operated by

Museus da Universidade de Lisboa

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission on Sundays, 10:00–13:00.

The museum ticket price is not stated on the official pages consulted. Tickets (museum, Lisbon Botanical Garden or combined) are bought online through Ticketline, where they are cheaper than at the ticket office. Online tickets are valid for 6 months. Animals are not permitted in the museum or the gardens.

Accessibility

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

The ticket office lends two wheelchairs and removable ramps. The museum has two lifting platforms, one at side entrance no. 58 and one on the eastern staircase, to reach floor 1. The programme includes accessible visits with audio description or interpretation in Portuguese Sign Language (LGP), and relaxed sessions; audio guides are available.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum offers workshops and visits for families, such as “O meu primeiro caderno de campo” (My First Field Notebook) in the “Entre Dinossáurios” exhibition, by booking (€4 per person, groups of 10 to 20).

Getting there & parking

A reserved stretch of the public road allows school group buses to drop off passengers between the museum and garden entrances.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The museum hosts events, conferences and book launches in its spaces; requests to espacos@museus.ulisboa.pt.

Plan your visit