Being one of the first aquariums in the world, it combines, as objects of interest from a museological point of view, natural history collections, scientific instruments and documents, the building itself and its history, as well as the stories of all those who, at some point, were connected to the Vasco da Gama Aquarium - creating, working, studying, and visiting.
A museum functions as a living organism when it creates new relationships with the world, whether through Science and the Arts, the discovery of new areas of research, or through multiple interpretations of its objects and its collections.
Today, the great challenge for natural history collections is precisely that - to become alive by being open to educators, artists, students, researchers, and inquisitive people - creating, from the old forms, new forms of experience and knowledge.
Without losing sight of its mission, the museum is beginning a new phase of change. We know that this will arise naturally through the new relationships we seek and our openness to the community of which we are a part.
Evoking the spirit behind the creation of the Vasco Gama Aquarium, originally designed to be a popular recreational and educational establishment, we want our exhibitions, activities and partnerships to create a learning and entertaining experience through which we can rediscover our relationship with the natural world.