Versão portuguesa aqui.

GPS 38.696139293521895, -9.208225453978244

The Centro Cultural de Belém (CCB) is located in Praça do Império, parish of Belém, in the city and municipality of Lisbon, in the district of Lisbon, in Portugal.

It was originally designed to house the headquarters of the Portuguese Presidency of the European Union and later to develop cultural activities. It currently houses the Museum of Contemporary Art - Centro Cultural de Belém, among other cultural facilities.

The Centro Cultural de Belém has been classified as a Property of Public Interest since 2002.

Some of the shows organized by the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos are staged on the stage in the large auditorium of the Centro Cultural de Belém.

History

It was started in September 1988 and completed in September 1993. At the basis of its construction was the need for architectural equipment, which could host, in 1992, the Portuguese Presidency of the European Union, and which, at the same time, could remain, as a dynamic center for cultural and leisure activities. Its final design was decided at the beginning of 1988. After hosting the presidency of the European Union, it was transformed into a cultural and conference center in 1993.

Its controversial location was based on the fact that it marked the starting point of the maritime discoveries, like the Tower of Belém and the Monument to the Discoveries. The symbolism associated with this location is confirmed by the choice, in the 1940s, of the great Exhibition of the Portuguese World. The CCB came to occupy the same space that was destined to install the "Portugueses no Mundo" Pavilion and the "Portuguese Villages".

Through an international competition, and 57 projects accepted, the proposal by the Portuguese architect Manuel Salgado and the consortium of the Italian architect Vittorio Gregotti was selected. Of the five modules presented in the project, only three were built; the Meeting Center, the Show Center and the Exhibition Center.

The project

The Meeting Centre, consisting of the Large Auditorium (1700 m2) and Small Auditorium (600 m2) and 14 rooms (between 24m2 and 314 m2), was designed to host, in a privileged way, congresses and meetings of any nature or size, through quality equipment and finishes. The structure also included the CCB's general operating services, several stores, a restaurant, two bars and two garages open to users.

The Show Center is the nucleus for the production and presentation of artistic and cultural character of the CCB. Three rooms equipped to host different types of shows, from cinema to opera, from ballet to theater or any type of musical genre. The large auditorium accommodates 1429 seats, the small auditorium has a capacity of 310 seats and the Rehearsal Room holds 85 seats.

The Exhibition Center, made up of a qualified set of exhibition areas divided into four galleries which presents and produces exhibitions of visual arts, architecture, design and photography. Shops and a cafeteria complete the structure, as well as a space for the treatment and storage of art pieces.

The CCB currently occupies a construction area of ​​97 thousand square meters, across six hectares. The walls of the complex are approximately 36,000 square meters, covered in Abancado de Pero Pinheiro limestone with a Rustic Gastejado finish resting on metallic supports. It has several outdoor spaces that can be visited by the public, namely the Commenda, Oliveiras and Water Gardens, the Pedestrian Path and the CCB Square (1140 m2).

The module on the east side of the CCB building partially obstructs the unobstructed view that existed for centuries between the Jerónimos Monastery and the bank of the Tagus River.

Opening

It opened as a cultural and conference center in 1993, highlighting in its program music, theatrical arts and photography.

It also has a design museum with a collection of pieces dating from 1937 to the present day. In its short and turbulent existence, the design museum closed for good on August 31, 2006, but, through the Educational Service and by prior appointment, it is possible to organize visits and workshops for organized groups. During the weekend there are general and thematic guided tours, conference cycles, debates and activities for families.

Overlooking the gardens with geometric lawns and olive trees, from its restaurant and cafeteria, you can appreciate the pier and the Tagus river, so close by.

On weekends, Centro Cultural de Belém is filled with visitors, who, in addition to the usual cultural programs it offers, can enjoy the presence of street artists, actors, and other public manifestations of art, performances, etc. Between June 2007 and December 2022, it housed the Museu Coleção Berardo, which has since been replaced by the Museu de Arte Contemporânea - Centro Cultural de Belém.

Until January 31, 2010, the exhibition "Amália, Independent Heart" was present in this monument, together with the Electricity Museum.

Curiosities

• 1600 km of electrical cables.

• 15 thousand lamps.

• 280 electrical panels.

• 2600 fire, gas and intrusion sensors.

• 700 temperature, humidity and pressure sensors.

• 19 elevators and freight elevators.

• 1300 doors and gates.

• 550 fans, boxes and air conditioning units.

Full list of Geochaching below:

*Released*✅ *Reviewed*✅ Approved✅
Curator Body
0xa9fdA291a97eA4CC8D07fA1f89473f79F171490C 0x9A6F0Df3BE30246b199AC4b5106e2ac2FCD070f2 0xa554be9835947B10cAB101cf06De85A5E1531050 0x35E5Fb283c23d722295ce974fdF1c1B06507490f 0x49478e011f68357F4Af38B92EADa8D7ddfE7e7Dc