SCIENCE FOR PEOPLE WHO LIKE STORIES

November 2025

Once upon a time… Science for people who like stories is back home, after a long trip through Guimarães, Coimbra, Paris, Valencia and Barcelona.

In this exhibition, we discover that science is everywhere: in the house of the Three Little Pigs, in the eyes of the Big Bad Wolf, in the Witch's cauldron, or in a Beanstalk that grows until it touches the Giants nose.

Inspired by the imaginative world of eight children´s stories, “Once Upon A Time†invites us to explore phenomena and concepts of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Geology and Biology, but also the Social Sciences and other areas of knowledge, all based on stories from our childhood. In this exhibition, imagination and science meet, and live happily ever after.

This exhibition is aimed at all levels of education.

Capuchinho vermelho
Pinoquio
alice

The Books

Science is everywhere, but can we also find it in the fascinating world of children's stories? Explore the collection of books ONCE UPON A TIME!

A Princesa e a Ervilha Ali Babá e os 40 Ladrões Alice no País das Maravilhas Branca de Neve
Prateleira
Capuchinho Vermelho João e o Pé de Feijão Pinóquio Os Três Porquinhos
Prateleira 2
Alice no País das Maravilhas Branca de Neve
Prateleira
Pinóquio Os Três Porquinhos
Prateleira 2

THE ENCHANTED FOREST

The enchanted forest is a central space, where science mixes with senses. The treetops change color, and just like the change of seasons, you can smell the scents of the forest. Each tree presents a tale and invites you to discover the science that hides behind each story.

The wolf and his shadow

Frente da Imagem

Mesmerized by the size of his shadow, a reckless wolf felt enormous and powerful. Unfortunately, there was a lion passing by bringing the wolf to face the cruel reality.

Let your imagination run wild and create your own lions and wolves, playing with shadows and exploring the interplay of light and shapes!

The swollen fox

Frente da Imagem

The fox ate until it burst. And in his sin, he found penance: he gained so much weight that he couldn´t get out of the hole he had got himself into.

Can you help the fox out of the hole?

The Frog and the Ox

Frente da Imagem

Once upon a time there was a frog so vain that he wanted to be as big as an ox. To do this, it began to swell and swelled until it burst.

But how much can a frog swell?

THE WITCH’S LABORATORY

Good witch or bad witch? Which potion will be the right one to find the power of fungus, bacteria or even leeches? The answer is in the cauldron that reveals which microorganisms act in nature.

Useful information

OPENING HOURS

From Tuesday to Friday: from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Weekends and public holidays: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Available from November 2025

LOCATION AND PRICES

See the ticket office information

SCHOOLS

See information about the school visits

Media

Pavilion of Knowledge is a member of:

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