Museo civico di zoologia di Roma

About the museum

The Museo civico di zoologia was founded in 1932 and is now part of the Sistema Musei di Roma Capitale. Its collections continue the tradition of the Roman natural history collections active at the papal courts from 1790, and of the zoology cabinet of the Pontifical University. Part of the holdings comes from an agreement with the then Regia Università di Roma (today La Sapienza), which also included the collections of the Archiginnasio Pontificio; another part derives from donations made after the foundation.

The museum is located in Via Ulisse Aldrovandi, near the Bioparco. It holds about five million specimens, from tiny mollusc shells to the skeleton of a fin whale of around 16 metres. Much of the holdings are kept in storerooms and can be consulted by researchers on request, which is why the museum describes itself as a true archive of biodiversity.

The exhibition route is devoted to animal biodiversity and processes of adaptation. It includes themed rooms, such as those on life at the extremes and the coral reef, the wetlands of the Roman countryside, the Arrigoni Degli Oddi ornithological collection, sections on mammals, amphibians and reptiles, and the spectacular hall of skeletons. Some areas use multimedia and multisensory tools.

Highlights

• Hall of skeletons with the large fin whale skeleton
• Route on animal biodiversity and adaptation
• Rooms devoted to the coral reef and the wetlands of the Roman countryside
• Arrigoni Degli Oddi ornithological collection
• About five million specimens, from molluscs to large mammals

Permanent exhibition

• Percorso espositivo sulla biodiversità – Rooms on animal adaptation, the coral reef, the wetlands of the Roman countryside, the Arrigoni Degli Oddi ornithological collection and the hall of skeletons.

Founded

1932

Operated by

Roma Capitale – Sovrintendenza Capitolina ai Beni Culturali

Admission & discounts

Since February 2026 admission has been free for residents of Rome and the metropolitan area with an identity card to be shown at the ticket desk. Free admission also for holders of the MIC card (€5 per year, free admission for 12 months across the Sistema Musei di Roma Capitale) and for other categories provided for under the current tariff scheme. Online advance sales, by phone on 060608 or at the ticket office for later days: a €1 fee applies, and tickets are non-refundable and cannot be changed. Groups of 11 to 25 people plus the guide only with free booking on 060608 and pre-purchase of at least 5 tickets.

Accessibility

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

The entrance from Via Aldrovandi 18 has a lift beside the stairs. The Sala della Balena (Whale Hall) and the Zoolab can be reached by an external route for vehicles from the gate near the main entrance. A wheelchair is available on request, seats are placed along the route, and an accessible toilet is at the bookshop. There is a tactile orientation map at the entrance and a video station in LIS at the start of the route, plus the “Musei da toccare” initiative with tactile-sensory tours. Visitors not in groups must announce their arrival on 06 6710 9270.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The initiative “Gli animali a portata di mano” (“Musei da toccare”) offers a tactile-sensory visit. The bookshop has a corner with children’s books. Workshops and visits for schools, and activities for everyone, are planned.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in Via Ulisse Aldrovandi, near the Bioparco di Villa Borghese.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Bookshop with books on nature and biodiversity, museum guides and items linked to the exhibitions.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit