Museo dei botroidi
Hands-on geology museum in Tazzola with more than two hundred botroidi, sandstone concretions collected by Luigi Fantini in the Val di Zena.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum is in Tazzola, a small village in the municipality of Pianoro at the foot of Monte delle Formiche, in a former cowshed, and is part of the Parco museale della Val di Zena. It presents the geology of the valley: gypsum, sandstones, fossils, Pliocene yellow sands and ancient oceanic clays.
The main attraction is the collection of more than two hundred botroidi (rounded sandstone concretions resembling bunches of grapes or human figures), collected by the geologist Luigi Fantini in the Zena stream. According to the museum, it may be the largest in the world. For decades the specimens were kept in detergent drums wrapped in newspaper, first at the Castello di Zena, until Lamberto Monti and Giuseppe Rivalta found them and brought them to the museum.
Other sections cover gypsum crystals, Pliocene fossils with a replica of a whale skeleton, clay and the Pietra fosforica bolognese, Palaeolithic flint tools linked to Fantini's finds, and a video for schools and children. The museum offers the tactile route "Geotattile" and educational workshops.
Highlights
- More than 200 botroidi collected by Luigi Fantini
- Tactile route "geology you can touch"
- Replica of the valley's whale fossil
- Gypsum crystals and Pliocene fossils
- Workshops using Palaeolithic techniques
- Founded
- 2006
- Operated by
- Associazione La Val di Zena
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- 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 museum offers the tactile route "Geotattile", where visitors can touch the exhibits.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
"Geology to touch" route, practical workshops and videos designed for schools and children.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The museum runs educational workshops in Tazzola and in other villages of the valley (Casola Canina, Gorgognano), with sand and rocks worked using Palaeolithic techniques. |
