A magical museum was born in Porto

The Neonia Museum has already opened in Porto – or, as it is called, the “Interactive Anti-Museum of the City of Porto”. “This is not a museum against museums, as I heard! This is a different museum…” explains Marta Araujo, one of the founders, CM. The project is the result of a “very long-standing” dream of Vera Mata (another founder), who, as a teenager, fell in love with an immersive museum she saw in France, and has since amassed experiences—and visits—to “everything that exists within the genre in World.”

This month, three engineers (Marta Araujo and Vera Mata, joined by Aquiles Barros) opened a premises on Rua de Ceuta. It cost them seven million euros, but judging by first impressions (it was always sold out on weekends), it should turn a profit quickly. Not everything here is related to technology, and Neonia does not only do “video mapping”.

With an area of ​​over 1,500 square meters, divided into two floors and 18 rooms, visitors have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of experiences. “For those who love paintings and sculptures, we have original paintings and sculptures, frescoes, wall murals,” says Marta Araujo.

“For those who value touch, there are physical scenarios. For those who prefer digital, we have digital panels, there are projections, a room with “video mapping”…” continues the person in charge. The common theme is always the city of Porto, and an example is the “infinity room” full of balloons of São João. “It’s a 360-degree experience,” the person in charge also describes.

“There are mirrors everywhere, giving the visitor the impression that they are surrounded by balloons, including on the floor,” he describes.

Neonia, which is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., will have a “dynamic” box office. So far tickets cost between 10 and 15 euros, but the price will depend on public demand.