Museu da Electricidade: An ‘electrical’ Journey into Portugal’s Industrial Past
Museu da Electricidade in Lisbon was established in 1990 and is representative of the evolution of energy production and use in Portugal. Created as a repository of science as well as industrial archeology, the museum has a large variety of both, experimental and theme-based exhibits. To create interest in people, the Electricity museum also holds different cultural events from time to time.
After it’s inauguration in 1990, the Museu da Electricidade’s buildings and interiors were renovated and a brand new museum was opened in 2006, with a new look, new tools, new equipment and a new discourse. Today, visitors to this museum can experience and enjoy various cultural and scientific exhibits as part of museum’s initiatives to make science more fun and exciting.
The Electricity museum Lisbon’s permanent exhibit area showcases the operations and working environment of the ancient Tejo Power Station by using the original apparatus. There are also temporary exhibits for paintings, sculptures, photography and education. One can also gain information on the latest technological and scientific advances in the field of energy like solar power and wind power among others.
Lisbon’s Museu da Electricidade building is considered to be one of the masterpieces of Industrial architecture in Portugal of the period from 1900s to 1950s. The entrance of the museum, or the Praca do Carvao, (Coal Square in English) was once the location were several tons of coal, which arrived via the Tagus, was offloaded to be supplied to the Tejo Station’s boilers. Today, this space is home to permanent exhibits. On the other hand, the entrance to the industrial complex is gained through the Sala de Exposicoes or the Exhibition Room and is the site of temporary exhibits.
The Electricity museum in Lisbon is located in Belem, one of the city’s historical districts. The Belem area has some of the most interesting monuments in Lisbon and is perfectly located on the estuary of the Tagus River. In the area, tourists can visit many famous structures like The Museum of the Discoveries, the Tower of Belem, the Coach Museum and the Jeronimos Monastery
The Museu da Electricidade is located on Avenue de Brasília and can be reached by Trams: 15 & 17 or by Bus: 14, 27, 28, 29, 43, 49, 51, 73.
