Museums
Whalers Museum
A set of three whaling houses from the 19th century, the museum is an homage to the old whaling tradition, still visible in local ambience and lifestyle. It has its origins in the 18th century, when American whalemen came hunting sperm whales. This became an important activity in São Roque do Pico and on Pico in general, where workers produced whale flour and oils.
Opened in 1988, the Whaler's Museum, together with the whaling industry factory, is unique in Europe.
The permanent exhibit offers a typical example of an Azorean whaling boat, a blacksmith's workshop, the Maritime Museum of Shipbuilding, and the Whale Art and the Whalers on Earth exhibits.
The Museum also features a specialized library and document repository, a small auditorium, educational services and other activities.
Location: Rua dos Baleeiros nº 13, 9930-143 Lajes
Hours: Summer:1st of April to 30th of September, Tuesday to Friday 10:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |Winter: 1st of October to 31st of March, Tuesday to Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed on Mondays.
Whaling Industry Museum
Located in the whaling factory, built in 1942, where byproducts were made from whales. The old whaling tradition, still visible in local ambience and lifestyle. It has its origins in the 18th century, when American whalemen came hunting sperm whales.
This factory operated from 1946 to 1984, and since 2007 has been home to the museum and its boilers, furnaces, machinery and other equipment used in whale rendering.
Location: Rua do Poço, 9940-361 São Roque
Hours: Summer:1st of April to 30th of September, Tuesday to Friday 10:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |Winter: 1st of October to 31st of March, Tuesday to Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed on Mondays.
Sperm Whale and Squid Museum (Temporarily Closed)
This small museum was created by Malcolm Clarke in his garage. Here, you can learn about the sperm whale and its main food source, squid. If you want to watch whales, swim with dolphins or just learn about marine life, come to this museum. How big are whales? How old do they get? How do they eat? How do they communicate? How do they dive so deep for so long?
Step through a full-size model of a sperm whale, compare it with a human being and discover how scientists study them. See a life-sized model of a giant squid, with the largest eyes of the animal kingdom.
Location: São João, Lajes
Hours: Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Saturday and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., from May 1 to Oct. 15.
Wine Museum
The museum, which opened in 1999 in the former convent of Carmelitas, teaches the history wine making, and organizes visits to vineyards for wine tasting.
In September, when the grape harvest occurs, visitors can participate in wine making.
Location: Rua do Carmo 9950-364, Madalena
Hours: Summer:1st of April to 30th of September, Tuesday to Friday 10:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |Winter: 1st of October to 31st of March, Tuesday to Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed on Mondays.
Maritime Museum of Shipbuilding (Temporarily Closed)
The Maritime Museum is located in Santo Amaro. It demonstrates the art of molding wood to build boats, with lectures in Portuguese and English, and is a valuable source of information about Azorean maritime history.
Location: Rua António Maria Teixeira, 23, 9940-172 São Roque
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission: free.
