Description of the attraction
There are many museums and other cultural institutions on the territory of the old university. One of these museums that is popular is the Science Museum of the University of Coimbra.
The museum presents historical exhibits and expositions that are of great scientific value. Those interested in physics will be interested in taking a look at the rich collection of instruments for scientific research of the 18th-19th centuries. Breathtaking botanical and zoological collections are also presented. Objects from the anthropological collection illustrate the evolution of man and human society, while specimens from the mineralogical collection will be of particular interest to lovers of minerals and stones. The collection from the Astronomical Observatory and the Geophysical Institute of the University of Coimbra will not leave indifferent.
In the past, there were several museums at the university. Almost every faculty of the university had its own museum. In 2006-2007, the existing museums of physics, zoology, natural history, mineralogy and geology were merged into one, which became known as the Science Museum of the University of Coimbra. Most of the collections date back to 1772. This was the era of the reign of King Jose I, his prime minister, the Marquis de Pombal, initiated and carried out educational reform, giving priority to scientific research. At the same time, the faculties of philosophy and mathematics were created, and some repair work was carried out in the buildings of the university. Today the museum is very popular. It hosts exhibitions, excursions, seminars, and also organizes meetings with scientists.
