SIC Annual Meeting 2008, September 16-21
Museum of Science, University of Lisbon, Portugal
Visits to Museums and Collections |
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The XXVIIth Symposium of the SIC includes visits to museums and collections including the most important collections of scientific instruments in Portugal.
Museum of Science University of LisbonRua da Escola Politécnica 56 The Museum of Science of the University of Lisbon was created in 1985. It holds a collection of c. 12,000 objects covering the fields of Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry and Astronomy. The core of the collection stems from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon (20th century) and the Polytechnic School of Lisbon (19th century). Highlights: Laboratorio Chimico, Chemistry collection, Astronomical Observatory and a small collection of mathematical and navigation instruments. Practical Details:
Laboratorio Chimico da Escola Politécnica19th century The Laboratorio Chimico was established in 1837, together with the Astronomical Observatory, the Botanical Garden, the Cabinet of Natural History and the Physics Cabinets, to support teaching and study at the Polytechnic School of Lisbon. Construction works were completed in 1890. The chemistry collection comprises more than 3,000 items. The Laboratorio was recently restored and is open to the public since 2007. Practical Details:
Cabinet of Physics, Passos Manuel Secondary SchoolEarly 20th century Travessa do Convento de Jesus Secondary schools and colleges have significant scientific heritage, little known and little accessible to the scientific community. The Liceu Passos Manuel was inaugurated in 1911 and its cabinet of physics rivaled that of the Escola Politécnica. Today, c. 1,200 instruments of mechanics, optics and electricity make this one of the largest secondary school cabinets of physics in Portugal. Practical Details:
Museum of PharmacyArtefacts from 3,600 B.C. until today. Rua Marechal Saldanha, 1 The Museum of Pharmacy, created in 1996, holds a comprehensive collection covering c. 5,000 years of pharmaceutical history from Egypt, Mesopotamia, Rome, Greece and Turkey, as well as from South America, China, Tibet, Japan and Africa. The Museum has won several prizes, including Best Portuguese Museum in 1996, 1997 and 1998. Highlights: Four complete pharmacies have been transported to the Museum, including a traditional pharmacy from Portugal's former territory of Macao (now China). Practical Details:
Collection of the Academy of Sciences18th, 19th centuries Rua da Academia das Ciências, 19 The Cabinet of Physics of the Academy of Sciences, initially assembled by José Mayne (1723-1792) for the teaching of natural philosophy is one of the few eighteen-century collections in Portugal. A course of Chemistry and Physics was taught at the Academy until 1919 and the cabinet also holds instruments from the 19th century. In total the collection comprises c. 300 instruments. Practical Details:
Physics Collection, Instituto Superior Técnico
19th, 20th centuries Av. Rovisco Pais The Instituto Superior Técnico is an important technical university in Lisbon. It was created in 1911 but its origins date back to the Industrial Institute, created in 1852 for the training of engineers. The Instituto Superior Técnico collections comprise scientific instruments, geology and mineralogy collections, chemistry collections, mechanics and engineering models, among others. Practical Details:
Museum of Metrology
Instituto Português de Qualidade The Museum of Metrology has a collection of more than 3,000 objects comprising the National Standards since the 15th century as well as artefacts representing the history of measurement in Portugal. Practical Details:
Astronomical Observatory of Ajuda19th century University of Lisbon Constructed between 1860 and 1878, the Astronomical Observatory of Ajuda maintains its original architecture and interior design. The location in Lisbon is spectacular, overlooking the River Tejo and the area of Ajuda-Belém. It holds a collection of c. 50 instruments acquired between 1860 and 1870, as well as a rich library and archive. Practical Details:
Science Museum University of Coimbra18th, 19th, 20th centuries Largo Marquês de Pombal The University of Coimbra holds stunning collections of physics, astronomy, natural history, art and one of the oldest botanical gardens in Portugal. The University's scientific collections are being reorganized under the 'Science Museum of the University of Coimbra' and its first pole opened to the public in 2006 at the recently restored Laboratorio Chimico (18th century). Here, visitors can have a glimpse of some of the highlights of Coimbra's scientific heritage. The Science Museum received this year's Micheletti Award. This is a distinction for the most promising technical or industrial museum attributed annually by The European Museum Forum, an independent and non-profit organisation committed to raising the standard of museums throughout Europe, that runs under the auspices of the Council of Europe.
The Science Museum at the University of Coimbra in Portugal impressed the judges with its sensitively restored and designed neoclassical Laboratorio Chimico. With its theme of 'secrets of life and matter' the museum has crossed scientific discipline-lines and the integration of the historic building and objects with thoughtfully chosen computer interactives and experiments has proved very successful. Add to this a very varied programme of activities and a high standard of publications, and the resulting experience for visitors is excellent. Practical Details:
Museum of Physics University of Coimbra18th, 19th centuries Praça Marquês de Pombal This is one of the most important scientific collections in Portugal and Europe. The Museum of Physics holds the instruments collected for teaching in the Cabinet of Natural Philosophy of the University of Coimbra since its creation in 1772. Its two rooms are equally precious as the wooden cabinets and furniture are original. The core of the collection was assembled for the Cabinet of Natural Philosophy of the College of the Nobles (Lisbon) by Giovanni Dalla Bella. Practical Details:
Astronomy Collection University of Coimbra
18th, 19th centuries Santa Clara This is one of the most important collections of astronomical instruments in Portugal. The instruments come from the Astronomical Observatory of the University of Coimbra, one of the first in Portugal and established during the 1772 University Reform. The original building (1799) was destroyed in the 20th century. Practical Details:
Maritime MuseumPraça do Império Situated in the Belém area, near the Jerónimos Monastery, the Martime Museum is one of the most popular museums in Portugal. The origins of the Museum date back to 1863, although only since 1962 in its present location. It holds an immense collection, comprising nautical instruments, models, paintings and real boats and ships. Practical Details:
Collection of Physics ISEL
19th, early 20th century Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa In 1852, the Industrial Institute - aimed at training engineers as part of a national plan to develop industry - was created in Lisbon. In 1867 Fonseca Benevides was charged with creating the Industrial Museum of Lisbon within the Industrial Institute. In the 20th century, this Museum was dismantled and part of the collections went to the Instituto Superior Técnico. This collection of Physics comprises c. 300 instruments collected for the training and teaching at the Industrial Institute, today organized in the Museum of Physics of the Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa. Practical Details:
Parada Leitão Museum19th, 20th centuries Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto The Parada Leitão Museum hosts the collections of the Instituto Superior de Engenharia of Porto. Its origins date to the Industrial School of Porto (1852). They comprise c. 12,000 items assembled for the 'Museu Tecnológico', created in 1864 following the model of the Paris Conservatoire. Among these are instruments, machines, models and drawings aimed at teaching and training in the different arts & crafts at the Industrial School. The collection was recently reorganized under the Parada Leitão Museum, established in 1998. Practical Details:
Museum of the Faculty of Engineering University of Porto19th, 20th centuries Rua Dr. Roberto Frias The collections of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto also have their roots in the Industrial School of Porto, created in 1852. They were greatly expanded during the 20th century, under the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, the largest university in Portugal. The collections comprise several thousands of items covering the fields of physics, mechanics, aeronautics, chemistry, electronics, among others. They are currently being reorganized as a museum. Practical Details:
Museum of Science University of Porto19th, 20th centuries Praça Gomes Teixeira The Museum of Science of the University of Porto was created in 1996 and holds scientific and educational instruments and apparatus donated by the Physics, Chemistry and Geology Departments of the Science Faculty. For some years now, it has been undertaken its study, cleaning and conservation. The collection of the Science Museum includes items from Drawings, Mathematics and Navigation classes of the Navy and Commerce Royal Academy (1803-1837); from the Physics, Chemistry and Natural History Cabinets of the Polytechnic Academy (1837-1911); and from the Physics, Chemistry and Mineralogy and Geology Laboratories of the Science Faculty (from 1911 to the 1970s). Practical Details:
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 Portuguese instrument collections are little known both inside the country and abroad. |