Parque de las Ciencias (Granada)

Parque de las Ciencias is a science centre and museum located in the city of Granada, Andalusia, Spain. Parque de las Ciencias, under the motto "A new kind of Museum", was founded in 1990 and opened in 1995. It occupies 70.000 m2. The museum holds permanent and temporary exhibitions, a planetarium, educational facilities and a cultural gallery that includes several versatile and flexible spaces with different capacities ranging from 50 to 550, a café and restaurant, bookshop, library, cinemas, etc. Since its opening, is directed by Ernesto Páramo Sureda, as the museum project in 1990, and its successive expansions.

Parque de las Ciencias counts amongst its council members the University of Granada, the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), the largest public institution dedicated to research in Spanish, the local, provincial and regional government and CajaGranada Foundation. The museum also houses 'Windows to Science' and 'Live Science' which, through crystal bounded spaces, provides the visitors with an insight into science as it is really done in labs. Parque de las Ciencias also has a Plastination Lab, Restoration and Production Workshops. It is also member of the European network of science centres and museums ECSITE

Contents

Macroscopio building

Macroscopio building is the fourth phase of Parque de las Ciencias and was designed by the architect Carlos Ferrater. The various exhibition areas lead off the large entrance hall:

Journey to the Human Body Pavilion

This hall focuses on health and everything related to life and their own lives. In a society where people have more time for recreational activities, higher levels of education and a longer average lifespan, the general public has become much more interested in health, medical sciences and new bio-health technologies. The hall aims to promote awareness of what is currently known about health and life sciences by providing a general overview of the field, linking the different sciences and techniques involved: these include the human body, anatomical sciences, the study of the senses, biomedicine, transplant operations, new medicines, genetics and the genetic engineering revolution, food, understanding relationships between living things and their environment, life expectancy, etc... Life sciences are exceptionally important today and a great deal of interdisciplinary research is being carried out into the field. Discovering how the human body works has always been a tremendous intellectual and scientific challenge. Knowledge has allowed scientists to carry out exhaustive research into illnesses, disorders, functional anomalies and deformities which have, for many years, caused suffering and death. The history of medicine is, on the one hand, the history of humans’ persistent curiosity and desire to understand the world, and, on the other, the history of the struggle between illnesses and the longing to be as healthy and well as possible. The hall also includes exhibits on the development of techniques used in science related to health, life, and the study of human beings: instruments and methods used to represent the body using models, recordings or photographs, as well as some of the most modern examination techniques, microscopic displays, digital simulation, etc. Because the exhibits are scientific and educational, the hall strikes a balance between highly valuable historical objects and exhibits and real organs, interactive experiments, virtual reality, IT models, scale models, scenographic exhibits, reproductions, videos, workshops, etc.

The contents of the hall have been designed taking into account the inter-relationships between life and health sciences and physical sciences (pulleys, levers, slanted surfaces, energies...) and the chemistry of life.

Risk Prevention Hall

This hall is a fun, interactive teaching space, full of exhibits which help visitors to understand the wide range of different risks and hazards to which we are exposed. The exhibits use elements and materials which are easy for visitors to understand and get close to, such as simulators, symbols, audiovisual exhibits, etc... Visitors walk around set routes which show situations where risk agents are present. These risk agents can harm the human body if they come into contact with it, and they are grouped according to production and social sectors. Each route shows how vulnerable our bodies are in both physical and psychological terms. This pavilion was awarded in 2013 by DASA Arbeitswelt Ausstellung Museum.

Al-Andalus and Science Pavilion

The scientific and technological legacy of al-Andalus brought to life.

Techno-Forum Pavilion

An area for new technologies, innovation and art.

Explore the Museum's Treasure Trove Hall

This makes science accessible to young children through discovery and exploration.

Foucault Pendulum Building

This is one of the most emblematic buildings in the Parque de las Ciencias complex. This was the first part of the museum and it was opened in May 1995. It houses a great deal of the museum’s content in its four permanent exhibition halls: the Biosphere, Eureka, Perception and Explora halls. The Planetarium is also located in this building. It was designed by architects Francisco Pastor and Francisco Maeso.

Biosphere

This hall contains exhibits related to life on Earth. Modules designed using the latest in contemporary museum technology take visitors on a journey to deepen their understanding of the planet on which we live.

Perception

This hall is linked to the world of the senses. Light and sound, and the relationship between these phenomena and the way in which we can perceive them, are the key elements studied by the modules in this hall.

Explora

This part of the museum is aimed at visitors between 3 and 7 years of age. Exhibits have been specially designed to bring children closer to science: scales, dice, water games, sound, self-perception, etc...

Eureka

This hall gives visitors the chance to experience physical phenomena and solve problems using interactive exhibits. Gyroscopes, levers, pendulums, the Venturi effect, gears.... these are just some examples of the experiments which give visitors the chance to have fun while they learn.

Planetarium

The Planetarium has a 10 m dome and is equipped with 120 projectors which recreate the night sky and its more than 7,000 stars. This is a real treat for astronomers these days, as it is becoming more and more difficult to see the sky so clearly in our cities.

Outdoors

The Parque de las Ciencias also has outdoor exhibits in 27,000 m² of garden areas. This is one of the things that sets its apart from other museums, as it takes advantage of the good Andalusian weather to bring its exhibits outside.

Birds of Prey in Flight Workshop

In this workshop visitors can experience an eagle swooping past just a few centimetres away and see a falcon hunting its prey. They can also learn what a vulture has to eat, and how owls fly. The workshop is split into two parts: a teaching session, when they will see the birds and find out about their biology and ecology, and a flying display, when they will be able to see them soar, hunt and eat. The workshop also emphasizes the important role that birds of prey play in keeping ecosystems healthy, and explains why conservation is so important.

Tropical Butterfly House

The Butterfly House recreates the tropical climate The temperature inside the Butterfly House ranges between 21 and 24 °C with a humidity of 70%, just perfect for the 20 species of butterfly from South-East Asia, Central and South America and Tropical Africa and the more than 40 species of tropical and subtropical plants. The life cycle of these insects can be seen from the moment the caterpillars hatch until they turn into butterflies.

Observation Tower

This is one of the most emblematic pieces of architecture in the Parque de las Ciencias complex. The tower is 50 metres high and has a viewing terrace which looks out onto the nearby Mulhacén mountain – an unbeatable viewpoint over Granada.

Astronomical Observatory

This building is home to a Steavenson telescope with a 75 cm-wide mirror. This telescope was donated by the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia. The Observatory is the venue for the monthly “Nights of Astronomy” programme, and is also perfect for watching eclipses, meteor showers, etc....

Natural Spaces Hall

RENPA Permanent exhibition created by the Ministry of the Environment of the Autonomous Government of Andalusia, on Andalusia’s Protected Natural Spaces, characteristic ecosystems, flora, fauna, geology and landscapes.

Botanical Walks

Four spaces which show different aspects of the biology, typology and diversity of Mediterranean plants and the relationships between them, the animal world and the landscape. Visitors can see more than 300 different plant species as they follow the pathways.

Plant Maze

Plant walk around paths and squares with different themes: water, sand and flowers.

Scientific and Technological Heritage

The museum also focuses on scientific and industrial heritage, using historical pieces to show visitors the technological changes that have taken place over the last few centuries.

Water Games

The mechanisms which have been invented since ancient times to transport and elevate water also have their own place in the Parque de las Ciencias.

Astronomy Garden

This garden contains a collection of observation instruments used throughout history, as well as models designed to follow the relative movements of the Sun, the Earth, the Moon and the stars.

Mental Gymnastics Tent

A giant chess board, the Towers of Hanoi, a Möbius Strip, jigsaws and topological puzzles – these are just some of the brainteasers found in the museum gardens which visitors can use to give their brains a workout.

BioDome

The BioDome is a museum facility dedicated to the education, conservation, and research of planet Earth's biodiversity. It was inaugurated in July 2016 and recreates different habitats in the tropical fringe of the planet, housing around 250 species of animals and plants, mainly from the Amazon , Madagascar and different areas of the Indo-Pacific area. , like the Mekong River or the Sulawesi .

The pavilion houses three routes: one underwater, with different aquariums that show the diversity of species in both marine and river ecosystems; another terrestrial, where visitors find different species of mammals such as ring-tailed lemurs or reptiles such as the Chinese alligator , and recreations of habitats such as mangroves or rice fields. In the aerial route, there are birds such as the white-breasted toucan among species such as the two-toed sloth or amphibians such as arrowhead frogs .

The objectives of this space are education on the importance of biodiversity and the maintenance of these ecosystems for the sustainability of the planet, together with support for conservation projects, both within the BioDome and in the places of origin themselves. Furthermore, its facilities contribute to the development of research projects that are carried out in transparent laboratories for visitors.

External links

Listed in the following categories:
Post a comment
Tips & Hints
Arrange By:
Ádám Kepes-Végh
30 July 2013
Awesomely entertaining...Probably even better if you have kids.
Carelia Mayorga Butrón
8 December 2015
Lo más importante es que siempre tienes algo nuevo que ver. Hazte socio y tendrás muchas ventajas. Es una maravilla moderna y Granada completa su tradición de ciudad del conocimiento y la ciencia.
José Manuel
10 August 2014
Con exposiciones que me han gustado bastante. El mariposario tropical, los títeres, el planetario, el cuerpo humano, las ilusiones ópticas, la torre... El personal de 10
Luis Morales Fernández
6 August 2013
Estudiando en el Parque de las Ciencias de Granada, además de poder visitarlo, se puede hacer uso de su biblioteca, de forma gratuita, con buena iluminación y aire acondicionado.
Plaza Science
24 January 2014
Tiene exposiciones bastantes interesantes, además de su curiosa torre. Por cierto, si os gusta la foto y todo lo relacionado con la ciencia echarle un vistazo a Plaza Science
Khrys Mundó
2 January 2017
Un sitio que sin duda no te puedes perder. Todo muy cuidado, impresionante todas las exposiciones. Vale la pena repetir!
Load more comments
foursquare.com
8.8/10
2,794 people have been here
Map
Carr. Armilla, 8E, 18006 Granada, Spain Get directions
Fri 8:00 AM–8:00 PM
Sat 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
Sun 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
Mon 8:00 AM–11:00 AM
Tue 8:00 AM–7:00 PM
Wed 9:00 AM–6:00 PM

Parque de las Ciencias on Foursquare

Hotels nearby

See all hotels See all
Allegro Granada

starting $75

Princesa Ana

starting $83

Abba Granada Hotel

starting $70

Leonardo Hotel Granada

starting $52

Leonardo Hotel Granada

starting $88

al-Andalus Penthouse - Train Station

starting $0

Recommended sights nearby

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Royal Chapel of Granada

The Royal Chapel of Granada (Capilla Real de Granada) or Royal Chapel,

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Granada Cathedral

Granada Cathedral (Cathedral of the Incarnation) is the cathedral in

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Monasterio de San Jerónimo, Granada

The Royal Monastery of St. Jerome (Spanish: Real Monasterio de San

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Palace of Charles V

The Palace of Charles V, in Granada, Spain, is a Renacentist

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Alhambra

The Alhambra (from Arabic الْحَمْرَاء = Al-Ħamrā', literally 't

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Palacios nazaríes

Les palais nasrides constituent un ensemble palatin destiné à la vie d

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Generalife

The Palacio de Generalife (Arabic: Jannat al-Arif‎ - Architects G

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Castillo de Alcalá la Real

Castillo de Alcalá la Real (or Fortaleza de La Mota) is a castle in

Similar tourist attractions

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Computer History Museum

The Computer History Museum (CHM) is a museum established in 1996 in

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
California Academy of Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences is among the largest museums of

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
National Museum of Nature and Science

The National Museum of Nature and Science (国立科学博物館, Kokuritsu Kag

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Museo della Scienza e della Tecnologia

The Museo della Scienza e della Tecnologia 'Leonardo da Vinci' is the

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago)

The Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) is located in Chicago,

See all similar places