Lisbon’s Quake Museum is a bold and innovative approach to history education, blending storytelling with cutting-edge technology for an intense immersive experience.
Built in 2016 and located in the Belém district, this museum invites visitors to relive one of the most dramatic events in the city’s history: The 1755 Lisbon Earthquake. Far from being a traditional museum, Quake uses video mapping, interactive installations, and state-of-the-art simulators to create a dynamic, multisensory experience. I visited the museum in 2023 and was blown away by not only how much I learned, but how immersed I was in the story.
The museum starts by taking you back in time to the day of the fateful earthquake. We get a chance to see what daily life may have been like in Lisbon in the 1700s, adorned with different characters coming from different walks of life. Then you suddenly find yourself caught in the earthquake, as the environment moves, shakes and heats up as the city is destroyed during the natural disaster. But it does not stop there. The city is quickly faced with another catastrophe, and we see the unfortunate aftermath of its residents. There are many other elements of the experience, including interactive ways to understand the science behind earthquakes and tsunamis. Okay, I won’t give it all away! But what I will say is that while the event was unfortunate for Portugal and its residents, its intensity makes it a strong vehicle for historical immersive storytelling.
Quake Museum is rooted in rigorous research. Founders Maria Marques and Ricardo Clemente brought together a team of scientists, historians, designers, and creatives to ensure that the content is as accurate as it is engaging. Seismologists Susana Custódio and Luís Matias, both affiliated with the Faculty of Science at the University of Lisbon and the Dom Luiz Institute, provided essential scientific data. Historian André Canhoto Costa shaped the historical narrative, while theatre producer Marta Pisco oversaw the creative process to maintain a strong link between education and experience.
Quake’s design also reflects the earthquake’s legacy. The orthogonal street plan of modern downtown Lisbon, developed after the disaster, is a key part of the narrative. Inside, every room is carefully soundproofed, with custom acoustic solutions for walls, floors, and ceilings to maintain immersion. The architectural design by Fragmentos fits seamlessly into its cultural surroundings, and the Lisbon Museum/EGEAC provided crucial support with research and documentation.
This is history brought to life for tourists, locals, families, and curious minds. Quake is an example of how the right mix of creativity and precision can bring history to today’s curious minds and become an unforgettable experience.
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