Museu Natural da Eletricidade
Electricity museum in the former Senhora do Desterro power station, in São Romão (Seia), with a permanent exhibition on hydroelectric development in the Serra da Estrela.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum is housed in the building of the former Central da Senhora do Desterro, in the locality of the same name, within the Serra da Estrela Natural Park. It was chosen because it is one of the oldest hydroelectric power stations in the country: construction began in 1907, it was the first of four developments on the Alva river by the then Empresa Hidroelétrica da Serra da Estrela (today EDP), and electricity first reached Seia on 26 December 1909.
Opened on 11 April 2011, the museum offers a journey through the technological, natural, cultural and social heritage of the 20th century and shows the economic and social reality that accompanied the electrification of 25 municipalities in the interior of Portugal from 1909 onwards. The power station operated until the mid-1990s and displays a set of machinery, with four generator sets with Pelton turbines and a control panel, regarded as a treasure of industrial heritage. Next door is the Central Hidroelétrica da Senhora do Desterro II, from 1959, which still produces electricity.
The route includes the power station unit, a temporary exhibition area, two educational rooms with multimedia content and experimental activities, a documentation centre, a small auditorium and the café with terrace beside the Alva river. The museum was created in partnership between the Município de Seia and EDP.
Highlights
- 1909 power station with four original generator sets and control panel
- Permanent exhibition on hydroelectric development in the Serra da Estrela
- Educational rooms with multimedia content and experimental activities
- Café with terrace beside the Alva river
- Guided tours without booking at fixed times
Permanent exhibition
- Exposição permanente sobre a eletricidade e o aproveitamento hidroelétrico da serra da Estrela – The 1909 power station with its machinery and control panel, the history of the electrification of 25 interior municipalities and the water resources of the Serra da Estrela.
- Founded
- 2011
- Operated by
- Município de Seia
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2.50Young people aged 4 to 17 and seniors over 65 |
| Children & teens | €2.50free up to age 3 · Young people aged 4 to 17: €2.50. Children up to 3 years old and accompanying teachers (with a credential from their institution): free. |
| Seniors | €2.50Over 65. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €2.50 per personOrganised groups (minimum 10 people): €2.50 per person; school groups: €2.00 per person. |
| Families | €7Families of 2 adults + 1 young person: €7; 2 adults + 2 young people: €8.50; 2 adults + 3 young people: €9.50; 2 adults + 4 young people: €10; €1 is added for each young person beyond four. |
| Combined ticket CISE and municipal museums (adult) | €10Young people and seniors: €8; organised groups with booking: €8 per person; school groups: €6 per person. |
Prices are listed on the Visit Seia website.
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
- Café
- Museum shop
Café with terrace beside the Alva river and a sales point.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours take place at fixed times and do not require booking. The museum offers educational spaces, trails in the Mata do Desterro and activities in the educational rooms for schools and other audiences. |
