Universidade NOVA de Lisboa opens research hub at Mafra National Palace

Universidade NOVA de Lisboa has inaugurated the Polo NOVA Mafra – Música, Arte e Tecnologia, a new research and innovation hub located in the South Tower of the Mafra National Palace. Part of the Institute of Art and Technology (IAT), the center aims to bridge the gap between arts, humanities, science, and technology.

The facility includes specialized laboratories for musical acoustics, musical informatics, and digital heritage. These labs are designed to support research into the documentation, preservation, and valuation of cultural heritage through digital means. The center will benefit from its proximity to the National Music Museum and the planned National Sound Archive.

As part of the inauguration, the Fundação Jorge Álvares has donated an 1889 Steinway & Sons grand piano to the research hub. This donation honors the pianist and composer Filipe de Sousa. The project is supported by the Recovery and Resilience Plan and was developed in partnership with the Municipality of Mafra.