Museo naturalistico Il Nibbio

About the museum

The natural history museum was founded on the initiative of the non-profit association “Il Nibbio” (Centro studi naturalistici del Pollino), which aims to counter the decline and depopulation of the historic centre of Morano Calabro. The project combines the restoration of abandoned houses with the promotion of local heritage and crafts, widespread hospitality and environmental education.

The sections are set up in restored old dwellings near the Norman-Swabian Castle. Each room addresses a different theme linked to the nature of the Pollino National Park and uses dioramas that recreate the most significant habitats of the area. The mammal section, opened on 10 August 1998, features among other things a beech wood with a young wolf; the bird section spans three rooms on two levels and begins with the wetlands of Calabria.

The route is completed by the entomology and palaeontology sections. The latter illustrates the Mercure basin, formed on the Pollino massif in the Pleistocene and one of the largest fossil deposits in southern Italy, where remains of Elephas antiquus, rhinoceros, hippopotamus and hyena have been found. The museum is enriched by donations from researchers across Italy.

Highlights

• Dioramas of habitats in the Pollino National Park, with a wolf, squirrels and other animals in the beech wood
• Bird section across three rooms, also covering the wetlands of Calabria
• Palaeontology section on the Pleistocene Mercure basin
• Museum spread through old houses near the Norman-Swabian Castle
• Guided visit with a specialist guide included in the ticket price

Permanent exhibition

• Museo naturalistico diffuso – Sections on mammals, birds, insects and palaeontology, with dioramas of the Pollino National Park habitats and fossils from the Mercure basin.

Operated by

Associazione Il Nibbio – Centro studi naturalistici del Pollino

Visitors per year

approx. 12,400

Admission & discounts

Standard ticket €4, reduced ticket for young people €3, reduced rate for groups (minimum 10 people) €3. Free admission for teachers and group escorts. The visit with a specialist guide is included in the ticket price.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum runs educational workshops and programmes for schools of all levels.

Getting there & parking

The museum sections are located in the old houses of Morano Calabro’s historic centre, near the Norman-Swabian Castle; the venue is at Vico II Annunziata 11.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Bar and food and wine service, plus a bookshop; video library and craft workshops.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit