The Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre
The building, designed by the architect Nuno Ribeiro Lopes, lies hidden by volcanic sands, buried up to where the land level stood prior to the eruption. The bold yet seemingly invisible building occupies the ground floor of what used to be the Capelinhos Lighthouse and the respective outbuildings. Here you can embark on an essentially virtual and interactive journey, with a step-by-step description of the geological phenomena of the Capelinhos volcano, which has opened a new page in the scientific understanding of underwater volcanoes. Thanks to the unique surrounding landscape which resulted from one of the most recent eruptions in the archipelago, environmental and nature tourism combine here with cultural and scientific tourism.
The Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre uses various expository and interpretative tools to impart scientific knowledge, acknowledged as both a Scientific Centre and a prime tourist attraction, which aims to develop and promote learning and exploration activities to enrich the experience of its visitors.
