Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre – the volcano museum on Faial

The Centro de Interpretação do Vulcão dos Capelinhos is a museum at the western tip of Faial island in the Azores, near the village of Capelo. It is devoted to the Capelinhos volcano, born from a submarine eruption that began on 27 September 1957, and to the wider geology of the archipelago. It supplies the context you cannot get from simply walking across the black volcanic landscape outside.

What kind of place is it?

The centre opened in 2008. The building was constructed almost entirely underground so as not to disturb the existing scenery. As a result, the young terrain shaped in 1957–1958 keeps its unbroken skyline, while the exhibition sits beneath the volcanic ground. This design makes it one of the more architecturally interesting museums in the islands.

In 2012 the European Museum Forum recognised it as one of the best museums in Europe.

What will I see inside?

The permanent exhibition covers several themes:

• the course of the Capelinhos eruption, which lasted about 13 months,
• the formation and structure of the Azores archipelago,
• different kinds of volcanic activity around the world,
• the history of Azorean lighthouses.

Besides the permanent displays, the centre has an auditorium and a temporary exhibition of rock and mineral samples. The museum also explains what the eruption meant for people living in western Faial, who had to cope with a transformed landscape on their doorstep.

Planning your visit

Opening hours depend on the season:

• November to March: Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00–17:00,
• April to October: daily, 10:00–18:00,
• closed on 1 January and 25 December.

Public holidays follow the hours of the current season. Phone: +351 292 200 470. Coordinates: 38.5967 N, 28.8261 W. Confirm the hours before you travel, as they can change.

Frequently asked questions

When did the Capelinhos volcano form? The eruption began on 27 September 1957 as a submarine event and lasted about 13 months.

Is the museum underground? Yes, the building was placed below ground level so it would not interfere with the landscape created by the eruption.

When did the centre open? In 2008.

Is there anything besides the permanent exhibition? Yes, there is an auditorium and a temporary exhibition of rock and mineral samples.

Is it open on Mondays? From April to October, yes. From November to March it is closed on Mondays.

Can I visit on Christmas Day? No, the centre is closed on 25 December and 1 January.

A visit pairs well with a walk across the surrounding volcanic terrain: learn the story of the eruption first, then see its effects with your own eyes. It suits anyone interested in geology, Azorean history, or simply in how the west coast of an island changed within little more than a year.