Museo dei Fossili e delle Ambre
Palaeontological museum in Palazzo Delfina Olivieri De Cambacérès with fossils, amber, minerals, dinosaurs and an interactive digital route.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Since 2004 the Museo dei Fossili e delle Ambre has been housed in the Villa Delfina Olivieri De Cambacérès complex, in the centre of San Valentino in Abruzzo Citeriore. It was founded to enhance and present the natural heritage of the area and is run by the association Amici del Museo dei Fossili e delle Ambre.
The route includes sections on amber and fossil resins with inclusions, fossils from various parts of the world, minerals and crystals, dinosaurs with reconstructions, hominids and human evolution, and fossils from the Maiella and Abruzzo. Some sections are being expanded and reorganised.
A 2026 novelty is an interactive digital route with extended-reality headsets, which combines real finds with immersive technologies; an explanation in Italian Sign Language (LIS) is also available in the headset. The museum also has a small tactile route for visitors with visual impairments and is part of the museum network of the Maiella UNESCO Global Geopark.
Highlights
- Collection of amber, copal and fossil inclusions
- Fossils from the Maiella and Abruzzo
- Minerals and crystals
- Dinosaur reconstructions
- Digital route with headsets and LIS interpretation
- Tactile route
Permanent exhibitions
- Collezioni permanenti – Sections on amber, fossils, minerals and crystals, dinosaurs, hominids and the fossils of the Maiella and Abruzzo.
- Percorso digitale interattivo – Immersive experience with XR headsets combining real finds and digital technologies.
- Operated by
- Associazione Amici del Museo dei Fossili e delle Ambre
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €2 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 5 · Free admission for children under 6. |
| Guided tour (admission included) | €2At least 1 hour, for groups and schools, by reservation. |
| Educational workshop (visit and admission included) | €5At least 2 hours, for children aged 6 to 8, schools, groups and families. |
Payment is made on site.
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 states that it is accessible; for particular needs it is advisable to contact it before the visit. A small tactile route is available; in the XR headset the explanation is also offered in LIS.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
Palaeontology workshops for children aged 6 to 8, in which a cast is made; activities for schools, families and groups.
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
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours and workshops by reservation via the online form or the museum's contacts; 3D headsets only by reservation or depending on availability. |
