Floresta - Uma Experiência de Raiz

The exhibition

From roots to the future

At FOREST: A Rooted Experience, looking, listening, smelling and getting hands-on are all part of a journey designed to spark curiosity and a desire to learn. Build a forest piece by piece, seek out the biodiversity hidden in a tree, identify species by their distinctive features and discover where many of the objects we use every day come from.

Across four themed areas, we explore the diversity of Portugal's forests, their value, the challenges they face and the future we can help shape. An experience for all ages that invites you to see things differently on your next walk in nature.

Originally produced by Heureka, the Finnish Science Centre, FOREST: A Rooted Experience was developed in collaboration with the Pavilion of Knowledge - Ciência Viva Centre, where it will be on display until September 2027.

The scientific curator of this exhibition is Carlos Fonseca, Full Professor at the University of Aveiro (DBIO&CESAM).

Shall we step into the forest?

The journey

Four areas, one forest

From the diversity of Portugal's forests to the decisions that shape their future, each area offers experiences that invite you to explore, ask questions and discover the connections between forests and our everyday lives.

Portugal's forests

In Portugal, every forest tells a story. From the oak woodlands of the north to the cork oak woodlands of the south, from the pine forests and chestnut groves of mainland Portugal to Madeira's Laurissilva forest, this area reveals the extraordinary diversity of our forests.

Featured exhibits

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A tree full of life

Listen to the forest

Once upon a time…

The value of forests

What do a cork stopper and a musical instrument have in common? Both can come from the forest. Explore the raw materials forests provide, the livelihoods they support and the services they deliver to the environment. From soil protection to innovation, there is a wealth of value to discover.

Featured exhibits

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Making a living from the forest

Made in the forest

Floresta High-Tech

The challenges facing forests

Wildfires, pests, invasive species, climate change and extreme weather events put Portugal’s forests to the test. In this area, explore their impacts and reflect on the importance of understanding, managing and protecting this natural heritage.

Featured exhibits

A tree struck by lightning

Fragile forests

Forest SOS

Tomorrow’s forests

The future of forests begins with the decisions we make today. Discover projects that bring together researchers, landowners, associations, businesses and citizens to transform Portugal’s forests.

Featured exhibits

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Tomorrow’s forests

Become a tree

A little forest to take away

Faces of the forest

In Portugal, the forestry sector employs more than 100,000 people in activities ranging from management and production to research, industry and land protection. Meet more than a hundred of these people and discover how their work contributes to society and the economy.

Who are the faces of the forest?

School in the Forest

Educational resources

What exactly is a forest? What connections link the living things that inhabit it? And how can we contribute to its future? The exhibition invites teachers and students to explore these and other questions through interactive, sensory and multimedia experiences. A starting point for connecting science with everyday life, sparking curiosity and turning the forest into a classroom for new discoveries.

Activity sheets Book a school visit

Visitor information

Plan your visit

Opening hours

Tuesday to Friday, 10:00-18:00

Weekends and public holidays, 10:00–19:00

Last admission 30 minutes before closing.

Location

Pavilion of Knowledge – Ciência Viva Centre

Largo José Mariano Gago, nº1 Parque das Nações 1990-073 Lisbon, Portugal

Accessibility

Ramps, lifts and accessible toilets.

Tickets

Tickets, discounts and free admission.

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THE FUTURE OF FORESTS STARTS HERE

After listening to the forest, meeting its inhabitants and discovering what it does for us, there is so much more to notice on every walk. Your visit ends here. Your curiosity comes with you.

Plan your visit

About

Exhibitions

The exhibition

The journey

Portugal's forests

The value of forests

The challenges facing forests

Tomorrow’s forests

Faces of the forest

School in the Forest

Educational resources

Visitor information

Plan your visit

Opening hours

Location

Accessibility

Tickets

THE FUTURE OF FORESTS STARTS HERE

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