Fossilienmuseum Mölten

About the museum

The sandstone of Meltina has long been used as building and decorative stone for churches and chapels. In the 1980s some damaged elements of the bell tower of Bolzano cathedral were replaced with this stone: the Meltina quarry was reopened and brought to light layers of rock that had previously been hidden. The then mayor, Franz Josef Karnutsch, a keen mineral collector, frequented the quarry and discovered the fossils there; an inspection with the geologists of the University of Innsbruck, Karl Krainer and Helfried Mostler, dated them to the Upper Permian, about 260 million years ago.

Karnutsch wanted to make the finds visible to the public and promoted the first fossil exhibition, opened in 2001 under his successor. In 2017 the Comune decided to keep the wooden structure over time and to renew the museum and its display; the current exhibition, “Fossilia”, was opened in 2023 and is conceived as an open-air museum.

The route tells the story of the Upper Permian forests, with trees similar to today’s araucarias, ginkgoes and large horsetails, and explains how the trunks turned into fossils. Meltina is one of only three sites in South Tyrol with fossil plants from the Upper Permian, together with Bletterbach and Seceda, and the only one where whole trees with branches and roots are preserved, which allow entire forests to be reconstructed. Fossil footprints of a small reptile are also found there. Explanatory texts and a listening station allow independent visits.

Highlights

• Fossil remains of trees and plants about 260 million years old
• Fossil footprints of a small reptile
• Upper Permian forests reconstructed through fossils
• Listening station and texts for independent visits
• Guided tours with local experts in four languages

Founded

2001

Operated by

Comune di Meltina

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the exhibition is free; only the guided tours are paid. Food and drinks are not included.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Guided family tours with a workshop, programmes for school classes and birthday parties for children aged 5 to 10.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the centre of Meltina, next to the school centre and the town hall. By car via Terlano, Verano or San Genesio.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 30 guests.

Equipped multi-purpose hall (Saal Fossilia) that can be rented for events of up to 30 people.

Plan your visit