Instituto Butantan. Foto: Jose Cordeiro/SPTuris.
Founded in 1901, the Instituto Butantan is one of the largest biomedical research centers in the world, producing more than 80% of serums and vaccines consumed in Brazil.
It has 4 museums with guided tours (visits must be scheduled in advance):
Instituto Butantan. Foto: Jose Cordeiro/SPTuris.
– Biological Museum, which has operated since 1966 as one of the main attractions of the Institute, presents an exhibition with about 90 live animals, the more exotic types such as spiders, scorpions, several species of snakes (venomous and non-venomous), lizards and amphibians, in environments that recreate their natural habitat.
Instituto Butantan. Foto: Jose Cordeiro/SPTuris.
– Microbiology Museum, opened in 2002 with the goal of teaching about the science of microorganisms, has an auditorium (which hosts lectures and films), an interactive exhibit long-term, where you can see through microscopes, some living organisms, besides presenting models of bacteria and viruses and a modern laboratory.
– Museum Public Health “Emilio Ribas” in Butantan since 2010 and home to one of the most important documentary collections of Health of Brazil, provides the public with contact text documents and audiovisual and important objects related to the history of health.
Instituto Butantan. Foto: Jose Cordeiro/SPTuris.
– Historical Museum, which aims to research, preservation and dissemination of the history of science and health within the Institute. Housed in a former stable since 1981, presents an exhibition of objects of research laboratories and has educational activities.
Instituto Butantan. Serpentário. Foto: Jose Cordeiro/SPTuris.
In addition, there is the Serpentarium, sought more attractive, especially loved by children. It works as a place for keeping animals and is open to visitors.
