A MUSEUM DEDICATED TO OUR FIRST PERSONAL COMPUTER
The LOAD MUSEUM is dedicated to the ZX Spectrum,
which was for many Portuguese and foreigners (Spanish, English, etc.) their first personal computer. But the Museum also includes many other equipments related to this theme, in a functional state and properly documented, so that it can be enjoyed by the visitors.
Get to know the history of this treasure which contributed, in a very decisive way, to the introduction of technology in so many peoples’ lives and some even built careers in the area.
Appreciate the role of this device, in the technological revolution that already put cell phones in our pockets.
And learn - in case you don’t know it yet - about the important role that Portugal played at the TIMEX factory in this phenomenon started in the 80s.
Come pay tribute to the inventors who created these magical devices and the games that made it famous and come witness that the ZX Spectrum is more alive than ever, with games and even new computers being launched.
Exhibition Area
We are working in order to provide expanded facilities in 2022/3.
100 m2
Tour Guides
English guide will be made available as soon as possible. Spanish will follow.
Revenues & Donations
Reinvested in
the Museum
Photography & Video
YES!
No restrictions
Books & Magazines
For consultation
on site
Collection
Can be accessed in the public platform Collectors Bridge (in English).












ricardopereiraw 1/29/2020
First time touching a ZX Spectrum! I'm a software engineer and I never had the pleasure to interact with a ZX Spectrum, so it was my... read moreI'm a software engineer and I never had the pleasure to interact with a ZX Spectrum, so it was my first time and it was a joy! But it's not only for computer enthusiastics, this is modern history and it's suitable for everyone who like to understand the history behind our modern days. read less
Franciscogourmet 2/01/2020
Amazing museum and a time travel to childhood I owned a ZX Spectrum growing up and it was my most favorite possession as a kid. I learned to... read moreI owned a ZX Spectrum growing up and it was my most favorite possession as a kid. I learned to program on it. I loved the games. I was browsing the ZX Spectrum hashtag on instagram when I saw a photograph of someone posing in front of this museum with the giant ZX spectrum in the background and the second I saw it, I knew I wanted to visit.
I don't even live in Portugal, but I was going to visit my girlfriend's parents for Xmas and it was the perfect opportunity to visit the museum which was within a few hours driving distance.
When we arrived there, we were greeted by João at the door. He was very friendly and happy to meet a fellow spectrum fan. He showed us around. The entire collection at the museum is owned by him and it is extensive. Everything ZX Spectrum was right there, from the original machines to the clones, from earlier predecessors like the MK14 to later non-Sinclair machines like MGT's SAM Coupé. There was even a Sinclair C5 electric car. Walking into the main room where the collection is was like walking into a time capsule. I was transported back to my childhood. With games running on actual hardware, ZX Spectrum related documentaries playing on multiple screens, the machines on display in cabinets, it was a perfectly executed vintage computer feast. João was extremely knowledgeable about everything and he was very happy to share his knowledge and stories as well. Among the machines there were rarities and oddities, like an NTSC Spectrum, the Timex FDD3000, my personal favorite the Sam Coupé, and Portuguese Speccy clones.
Not everything in the museum is behind glass cabinets either. Visitors can get some hands on time with some of the machines as well, if they choose to. There's a big desk full of machines, both vintage and modern, sporting peripherals like the DivMMC, and a spectrum Vega all waiting to please those who want to play with them.
Overall it was a great experience and we spent a great two and a half hours which felt like 15 minutes to me. João was with us the whole time guiding us and telling us about the machines, their stories, his own personal experience. Chatting with him was one of the best parts of the experience.
Whether you're a nostalgic fan of the ZX Spectrum, or someone who would like to find out more about vintage computing and a bygone era when computers and computing was very different than what they are today, we would highly recommend seeing this wonderful museum put together with great enthusiasm, lots of passion and a bit of nostalgia. read less
Vitor P 1/28/2020
A place that brings old memories and to remember with a smile 🙂 Amazing idea, a unique place in Portugal where you can find and remember an important part of the past of... read moreAmazing idea, a unique place in Portugal where you can find and remember an important part of the past of thousands of people that lived the experience of this amazing machines that were at the beginning of an era. read less
vascom322 1/16/2020
One of the most importat historical facts that still triggers nostalgia to all 80's kid nowadays. This is an amazing and complete Sinclair museum worth visiting. It's the only one in the world.
Sir Clive Sinclair would... read moreThis is an amazing and complete Sinclair museum worth visiting. It's the only one in the world.
Sir Clive Sinclair would be proud of this one! read less
117carlosn 1/26/2020
History of generations A real "must do"! A real "must visit"!!
A peace of history for multiple generations!
Spend some time visiting something that will... read moreA real "must do"! A real "must visit"!!
A peace of history for multiple generations!
Spend some time visiting something that will give a true meaning for some "natural" acts of today's life...
Very well done!!! read less
comerEboer 1/28/2020
A true nostalgic experience! One of the only, if not the only, museum dedicated to the Spectrum/Sinclair landscape that recollects so many nostalgic memories!... read moreOne of the only, if not the only, museum dedicated to the Spectrum/Sinclair landscape that recollects so many nostalgic memories! A must see for everyone who had contact with these machines, and a good experience for families to show kids how we played computer "back in the days" 😉 read less
conniesearle 12/28/2019
Fantastic! Absolutely worth visiting! We visited for a few hours and had such a great time. João is so knowledgable - I don’t know... read moreWe visited for a few hours and had such a great time. João is so knowledgable - I don’t know anything about the story of spectrums and their relationship with Portugal, but now I’m so well informed. The collection is so large - and you can even try out some of the games on the original machines! If you get the chance to visit, definitely do! read less
Sss01001 1/09/2020
Astonishing Sinclair museum! I was really amazed with the huge historical Sinclair colection owned and presented by João Diogo Ramos. Any oldschool... read moreI was really amazed with the huge historical Sinclair colection owned and presented by João Diogo Ramos. Any oldschool computer fan should visit this place and enjoy this brilliant Sinclair journey. Besides his entusiasm is truly passionate and unique, it was a very nostalgic experience indeed. read less

The Museum is now open and allows self-guided tours.
Due to the restrictions in place, we recommend to book your visit in advance by calling us as there are many limitations in place due to COVID-19.
OPENING HOURS OF THE MUSEUM
Saturdays: 10 am – 6 pm
Weekdays: 10 am – 6 pm (closed on Mondays)
contacts
- Escola Básica Conde Ferreira, 3060-133 Cantanhede
- +351 231 429 813
[email protected] (General)
[email protected] (Guided Visits)
[email protected] (Feedback or Doubts)
LOCATION
O Museu LOAD nasceu de um sonho que rapidamente extravasou a redoma dos seus promotores e foi apropriado por muitos dos nossos visitantes. A todos une-nos o objetivo de preservar a memória do ZX Spectrum e tudo o que rodeou o nosso primeiro computador.
Generosamente muitas pessoas têm contribuindo para o reforço da coleção base, doando objetos que lhes dizem muito e com isso ajudam a enriquecer a história contada.
Queremos por isso dizer OBRIGADO: a todos os identificados abaixo; aos anónimos que lhes seguiram também o exemplo; aos vários amigos que vendem artigos para o Museu e têm sempre em atenção o cariz especial do projeto; aos parceiros institucionais que nos ajudam na credibilização e divulgação do nosso trabalho; e nunca esquecendo todos os amigos que, mesmo antes de haver museu, já acompanhavam o nosso trabalho e continuamente ajudam com o seu tempo, sugestões ou doações.
A. Leão
Revistas Your Sinclair, Fanzine Planeta Sinclair, K7s computadores não Spectrum
A. Leote
Revistas Microhobby e artigos 4th Dimension
A. Lopes
Manual PCW8256; Caneca
Bitnamic (Marcus e Felipe)
Em Busca dos Tesouros
Brogueira
Balança
C. Nogueira
TV vinda de Clive Sinclair, Livros, Manuais, Fotos de época e outros
D. Ramos
Manual PCW8256
F. Calheiros
Colecção K7s Videobasic Portuguesas, Overlay Teclado
F. Melício
Computadores , FDD3000
F. Moreira
Computador, Proceedings Endiel 85
G. Saragoça
Computador
H. Susano
Inúmeros computadores, componentes, etc
J. Ramalhete
K7s
J. Proença
Livros Verbo e Manuais
J. Torres-Chica
Coleção K7s Videobasic Espanholas
L. Carvalho
Livros
L. Rato
Enorme coleção K7s Sinclair, Fanzine Format e ZX Files, Revistas Your Spectrum
L. Rolo
Computador, fonte Astor, K7s, Manual
M. Capelo
Interface JG SOM-TV
M. Garrett
Livros e Revistas do Próprio
M. Guerreiro
TBBlue e protótipo Next, TK-Pie, divMMC, Copiasoft+3
M. Viegas
K7 1º Campeonato Jogos e Publicidade TS1000
Mistério Juvenil (P. Ferreira)
Cartas e badges temáticas do Mistério Juvenil
P. Carrasco
K7 jogos originais (Carrasco e Tito)
P. Ferreira
K7s Sinclair
P. Silva (Consultório da Paula)
tag mala ZX Spectrum
P. Silva (Lenifischer)
VideoSpectrum #1, revistas e outros
R. ElQasem
ZXUITape
R. Morgado
Computadores, interface, documentação técnica, equipamentos Dixtronic
R. Simões
Computador
R. Tito
Livro do autor (Tito e Carrasco)
R. Vicente
Revistas MicroSe7e
V. Rocha
Computadores, PCBs, ICs, Medidor de Tensão
If you can’t wait until you come to Cantanhede to play a game, you can always try one of the several emulators (eg. Qaop/JS, Jan Bobrowski) available on the Internet.
© 2019-2021
Museum LOAD ZX Spectrum
The LOAD ZX Spectrum Museum is not associated in any way with Sir Clive Sinclair,
his companies, TIMEX or any others. All trademarks are property of their rightful owners.


