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National Museum of Natural History and Science

  • Museu Nacional de História Natural e Ciência
  • Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência
  • Museu Nacional de História Natural e Ciência
  • Museu Nacional de História Natural e Ciência
  • Museu Nacional de História Natural e Ciência
  • Museu Nacional de História Natural e Ciência
  • Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência
  • Museu Nacional de História Natural e Ciência
  • Museu Nacional de História Natural e Ciência
  • Museu Nacional de História Natural e Ciência
  • Museu Nacional de História Natural e Ciência
  • Museu Nacional de História Natural e Ciência

National Museum of Natural History and Science

The building constructed for the Escola Politécnica de Lisboa between 1857 and 1878. Former Faculty of Science from 1911 until the fire of 1978, is now home to the ULisboa’s Museums/Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência - MUHNAC (National Museum of Natural History and Science). The authorship of the architectural project is unclear, with the participation of General Silva e Costa, president of the Escola Politécnica's Administrative Board, drawing professors Luis Muriel and João Pedro Monteiro and, finally, Pierre-Joseph Pézerat, to whom José Augusto França attributes the building's final shape. The building, characterised by neoclassical design, was erected upon the remains of another structure destroyed by a fire in 1843, which previously housed the Novitiate of Cotovia (17th century) and the Royal College of Nobles (18th century). It is flanked to the west by Palmeiras Avenue, which is believed to have been planted at the beginning of the 20th century, and to the north by the Botanical Garden. It has various adjacent buildings: the former cafeteria building (currently Teatro da Politécnica [Politécnica’s Theater]) and other smaller constructions to the east, and the Council Room and Library Reading Room building, extending to Escola Politécnica Street, to the west. The original interiors were destroyed in the Faculty fire (1978), except for the Chemistry Laboratory (in the south wing), the Physics Office and the D. Luís Institute (both in the north wing). It is part of the 'main nucleus of the former Escola Politécnica – Faculty of Sciences of ULisboa,' classified as a Monument of Public Interest in 2013.


The building includes the Greenhouse Building, classified as a National Monument and designed by the architect José de Almeida Segurado (1913-1988), then an employee of the Ministry of Planning and Infrastructures. Designed in 1962 and completed four years later, it is a building inspired by modern Brazilian architecture. It consists of two distinct yet interconnected components: the glazed greenhouse featuring a convex roof extended by parabolic arches, juxtaposed with the rectilinear annexes characterised by brick facades that contrast with the surrounding greenery. This new building replaced the nineteenth-century greenhouse with its iron and glass structure (1878), which had begun to show signs of decay by the early 20th century and had undergone multiple restorations before being demolished to make way for the new facilities. Besides its architectural innovation, the new greenhouse facilitated technical advancements in the ongoing research. Presently, the building accommodates various research offices, laboratories, an exhibition area, and educational services.

Address: 
Rua da Escola Politécnica 56/58,
Príncipe Real
1250-102 Lisboa
Portugal
How to get here: 
https://museus.ulisboa.pt/pt-pt/como-chegar