Museu de História Natural (Natural History Museum), Porto

The Natural History and Science Museum of the University of Porto (MHNC-UP) was formally established in 2015 following the merger of the Museum of Natural History and the Science Museum of the University of Porto. This museum serves a vital role in promoting and disseminating knowledge about evolution, biodiversity, and the interconnectedness of natural and cultural realms. It preserves and showcases a heritage rooted in natural, exact, and human sciences, accumulated through over two centuries of education and research at the University of Porto.

MHNC-UP operates on a two-site model. The core museum collections, including geology, paleontology, zoology, archaeology, ethnography, botany (featuring University of Porto’s Herbarium PO), and science exhibits, are housed in the Historic Building of the Rectory of the University of Porto. This location is currently undergoing a major refurbishment, and temporary exhibitions have been held since 2019. The other part of the museum, featuring the Hall of Biodiversity and Porto’s Botanical Garden, remains fully open to the public.

The MHNC-UP is a pioneering project in Portugal. It represents a modern hybrid between a traditional museum and a Ciência Viva Center (CCV). This innovative setup aligns with three key areas: dissemination, conservation, and research. The museum uses cutting-edge technology and modern museographic techniques to share stories about life, extraordinary objects, and historical figures from the museum's long history.