THE MUSEUM

The King D. Carlos Sea Museum is located in the precinct of the former Sporting Club de Cascaes, founded in 1879 by Prince Carlos, later King D. Carlos I. For several decades of the 20th century, the building, also known as Clube da Parada, was the stage of many social events, a place of leisure and amusement.           

From 1976 onwards, awareness of the importance of the maritime heritage of Cascais and of the socio-economic changes resulting from the gradual and systematic reduction of fishing and production of its derivates, that for centuries had dictated the economic activities and way of life of many inhabitants, resulted in the acknowledgement of the appropriateness of a Museum of the sea, dedicated to the memory of those connected to such environment. This process culminated in the construction of the Sea Museum, its formal inauguration taking place on June 7, 1992.
Of the 19th century building, only the Octagonal Room, today the first gallery in the exhibition space, remains. The remaining rooms result from later additions to the compound. There we find the ever-growing collection that has been brought together throughout the years together as well as public-oriented services, such as the Library and the Education Department, or internal offices (storage area, conservation laboratory).
Under permanent growth and updating, the museum has been recently seen a reformulation of the exhibition discourse, adapting it to the expectations and needs of visitors, and of the younger audiences. This is achieved through a more dynamic and interactive language, using new technologies, creating moods and messages that meet the social, cultural and scientific concerns of the present. Increasingly concerned with the study and awareness-raising of the issues surrounding biodiversity and the environment, further refurbishments and new exhibitions are planned.