Civico Museo Insubrico di Storia Naturale di Clivio e Induno Olona

About the museum

The museum was founded as a public institution in Induno Olona in 1976, on the initiative of members of the Gruppo Naturalista della Valceresio, who wanted to make the results of their research into the natural world accessible. The first displays included minerals and fossils from the Varese area; from 1988 the research also extended to botany, zoology and mycology. The term “insubrico” (Insubrian) denotes the region of the pre-Alpine lakes, from Lake Orta to Lake Como (Lario), including the Canton Ticino.

Today the museum, run by the Comuni of Clivio and Induno Olona, is based in Clivio and also houses the Visitor Center of Monte San Giorgio, a UNESCO site since 2010 for its Triassic fossils, around 240 million years old. The route unfolds through five spacious rooms devoted to all aspects of the natural history of the Insubrian region, with particular attention to Monte San Giorgio, and is enriched by a 3D reconstruction of the Triassic sea environment, produced with the University of Milan and the Soprintendenza.

The fossil collection numbers more than 4,000 specimens from the Valceresio, in particular from the Ca’ del Frate/Besnasca deposit: fish, crustaceans, reptiles and plants, including six specimens of Lariosaurus valceresii, some with embryos. The museum is the only one with study collections alongside the material on display; the large park houses a stratigraphic trail with the main rocks of the Varese area for outdoor teaching activities.

Highlights

• More than 4,000 fossils from the Valceresio and Monte San Giorgio
• Six specimens of Lariosaurus valceresii, some with embryos
• Virtual 3D journey through the Triassic sea
• Park with a stratigraphic trail of the rocks of the Varese area
• Collections of mineralogy, botany, mycology and zoology

Permanent exhibition

• Collezioni naturalistiche e Visitor Center Monte San Giorgio – Five rooms on palaeontology, mineralogy, botany, mycology and zoology of the Insubrian area, with a 3D reconstruction of the Triassic sea.

Founded

1976

Operated by

Comuni di Clivio e Induno Olona

Visitors per year

approx. 1,000

Admission & discounts

Free admission for residents of Clivio and Induno Olona. Tickets are sold at the ticket office at the entrance, cash payment only.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is accessible to people with mobility impairments, with a lift to all floors, toilets on every floor and suitable access near the adjoining car park.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities

Educational workshops for nursery, primary and secondary schools; changing table available.

Getting there & parking

By car from Milan: motorway A8 towards Varese, Gazzada exit, SP 57, then SP 3 towards the Gaggiolo pass, Viggiù and Clivio.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

Indoor and outdoor picnic area, two conference rooms and two teaching workshops.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit