How Interactive Museum Quake Lisbon Immerses You in History

Share this page

Lisbon’s Quake Museum is a bold and innovative approach to history education. It blends storytelling with cutting-edge technology, creating an interactive museum experience.

Built in 2016 and located in the Belém district, this interactive museum invites visitors to relive one of the city’s most dramatic events: The 1755 Lisbon Earthquake. It’s far from a traditional museum. Quake Lisbon uses video mapping, interactive installations and 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.

Quake Lisbon, an interactive museum in Portugal.
Image Credit: XXI Magazine

The Experience

The museum starts by taking you back in time to the day of the fateful earthquake. We see what daily life may have been like in Lisbon in the 1700s. The scene is adorned with characters from different walks of life. Then you suddenly find yourself caught in the earthquake. The environment moves, shakes and heats up as the city is destroyed during the natural disaster. But it does not stop there. Another catastrophe quickly hits the city, 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

The Research

Quake Museum is rooted in rigorous research. Founders Maria Marques and Ricardo Clemente brought together a team of scientists, historians, designers, and creatives. They ensured 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. They carefully soundproofed every room inside, 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.

The interactive museum brings history 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.

Share this page

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *