Alfredo Bensaúde Museum
In Técnico's Mines Pavilion, minerals, crystals and rocks in an intact 1936 museum; free visits by appointment only.
Alfredo Bensaúde Museum of Mineralogy and Petrology – Instituto Superior Técnico
Also on the second floor of the Mines Pavilion of Instituto Superior Técnico, the Alfredo Bensaúde Museum of Mineralogy and Petrology opened in 1936, together with Técnico's premises on Alameda D. Afonso Henriques, and preserves its original design, defined according to the plans of Duarte Pacheco with an architectural project by Pardal Monteiro, a landmark of the early Estado Novo period with a strongly functionalist character. As with the neighbouring Décio Thadeu Museum, the collection originated at the Lisbon Industrial Institute and the Lisbon Industrial and Commercial Institute; the layout of the space and the gathering of much of the collection are owed to Amílcar Mário de Jesus, assistant to Alfredo Bensaúde (1856-1941), founder of IST and its director from 1910 to 1920. Devoted mainly to mineralogy, crystallography and petrology, the museum holds a wealth of geological material, mostly from Portugal and the Portuguese-speaking countries, including specimens from historic mining sites that are no longer accessible. The collection also comprises scientific instruments, teaching models, books, maps, photographs and furniture, as well as the scientific and personal papers of Alfredo Bensaúde, Amílcar Mário de Jesus and Luís Aires-Barros. Admission is free, but visits must be booked in advance.
Located at: Instituto Superior Técnico
Address: Instituto Superior Técnico, Pavilhão de Minas, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1, 1049-001 Lisboa
Opening hours: By prior appointment only (free admission)
Phone: +351 218 400 806
Coordinates: 38.735787, -9.1383455
Buses: 713, 716, 720, 722, 767, 742, 17B, 736, 49B, 726
Metro: Alameda (Red, Green), Arroios (Green)
Opened: 1936 (90 years)
