Museo delle Scienze geologiche e archeologiche di Pianosa

About the museum

The museum is set up in some rooms of the former administration building (Direzione) of the prison on the island of Pianosa, and is part of the visitor centres of the Parco Nazionale dell’Arcipelago Toscano. It was created within the project “Pianosa: viaggio nell’Isola della Scienza” (Pianosa: a journey to the Island of Science), funded by the Ministry of University and Research in collaboration with the Park and the University of Siena.

For the first time, samples of rocks, fossils and archaeological finds are shown in the place where they were found. The exhibition tells the story of Pianosa from the oldest rocks, dating back about 19 million years, to the deposits of the last glaciation, and traces the human presence from the Upper Palaeolithic through the Roman period to the Middle Ages.

The route comprises four exhibition rooms and five teaching spaces, including a laboratory, a library, a microscope room and a conference hall. It starts from a room with minerals typical of the island that can be touched, then moves on to the sections on geology and palaeoenvironment, to prehistory, with a reconstruction of a Neolithic oven, and to the Roman period, with finds from the Villa of Agrippa, from Villa San Giovanni and from shipwrecks, up to the reconstruction of a Roman burial.

Highlights

• “Vietato non toccare” room with minerals typical of Pianosa
• Geology, palaeoenvironment and prehistory sections with a reconstructed Neolithic oven
• Roman finds from the Villa of Agrippa, Villa San Giovanni and sea wrecks
• Reconstruction of a Roman burial
• Panels, videos and educational workshops in the former administration building of the prison

Permanent exhibition

• Museo delle Scienze geologiche e archeologiche – Permanent exhibition on rocks, fossils and archaeological finds from Pianosa, from its geological origins to the Roman period and the Middle Ages.

Operated by

Parco Nazionale Arcipelago Toscano

Visitors per year

approx. 2,088

Admission & discounts

For days organised by the Park with ship transport from Piombino and a Park Guide, dedicated packages including museum admission are offered.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• 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’s website indicates access for people with disabilities.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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.

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