Codfish History Interpretation Center

The Codfish History Interpretation Center in Lisbon is dedicated to one of Portugal's most enduring cultural and culinary symbols: the bacalhau, or dried and salted cod. The museum traces the full story of this remarkable ingredient, from the perilous fishing expeditions to the Grand Banks of Newfoundland and the waters off Greenland, through to the curing and salting traditions that allowed cod to travel vast distances and feed a nation. Exhibits explore the lives of the fishermen who spent months at sea aboard traditional vessels, the industrial processes that transformed raw catches into a storable staple, and the deep roots bacalhau has put down in Portuguese cooking and identity.

Situated in Lisbon, a city whose history is inseparable from maritime exploration and Atlantic trade, the centre offers visitors a grounded and detailed account of how a single fish shaped Portuguese society across centuries. Entry tickets are available for those wishing to explore the permanent collection at their own pace.