Furnas Environmental Interpretation Centre

Nestled on the rim of Furnas’ living caldera, this interpretive center is your gateway to understanding São Miguel’s geothermal heartbeat. More than a museum, it’s a sensory portal into the island’s volcanic soul—where hissing fumaroles and bubbling mud pots become the backdrop to immersive exhibits. Interactive screens illustrate how magma chambers fuel Furnas’ thermal springs, while a striking glass floor reveals stratified layers of past eruptions beneath your feet. The real showstopper? The outdoor geothermal gallery, where you can watch scientists monitor real-time seismic data as the earth grumbles below.

Designed to mimic the terraced slopes of the valley, the building itself is a lesson in sustainability—its grass roof insulates like the surrounding hills, and rainwater feeds the native vegetation in its demonstration gardens. Don’t miss the **“Smell Map” installation**, where you can sniff vials of Furnas’ signature scents: iron-rich mineral water, sulfur vents, and the sweet decay of valley ferns.

This is where science and myth intertwine. Evening programs might feature elders recounting tales of the "Buried Village" while seismographs dance to the volcano's quiet rumbles. The center's crowning detail? A real-time geothermal dashboard tracking the same underground forces that both nurture Furnas' famous crops and keep its residents ever-mindful of sleeping giants. Whether you come for education or wonder, you'll leave with a profound new language for understanding these enchanted isles.

Hours: 9:30-17:00 (Closed Mondays) | Admission: €5