Museo di fisica di Sardegna
University museum in the Monserrato university campus with hundreds of scientific instruments from the 18th century and Pacinotti’s dynamo-electric machine.
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About the museum
The Museo di Fisica is housed on the ground floor of the Physics Department of the University of Cagliari, in the Cittadella Universitaria (university campus) of Monserrato. Like many university science museums, it did not begin as a museum but as a set of instruments used for teaching and research; over time many of them lost their original function and now document the development of scientific knowledge in past centuries.
The collection comprises hundreds of instruments, the oldest dating from the 18th century, including some sent to Cagliari in 1764 by Charles Emmanuel III of Savoy, the so-called “prima dotazione” (first endowment). The centrepiece is the dynamo-electric machine built in Cagliari between 1873 and 1881 by Antonio Pacinotti, professor of experimental physics, with the help of the mechanic Giuseppe Dessì. The route includes instruments of acoustics, electromagnetism, mechanics and optics, the power valves of the microwave transmitting station used by Guglielmo Marconi for the link between Capo Figari and Rocca di Papa, and the first He-Ne laser to reach the department, in the mid-1960s. There are also copies of some instruments, such as the copy of Pacinotti’s dynamo, and interactive exhibits that allow visitors to observe physical phenomena.
The heritage was recovered and partly restored in the second half of the 20th century by various university teachers, including Professor Guido Pegna, scientific director of the museum for more than twenty years.
Highlights
- Dynamo-electric machine of Antonio Pacinotti (1873–1881)
- Instruments of the “prima dotazione” of 1764 from Charles Emmanuel III
- Foucault pendulum
- Valves of Marconi’s transmitting station
- Interactive physics experiments
Permanent exhibition
- Collezione storica e strumenti di fisica – Instruments of acoustics, electromagnetism, mechanics and optics from the 18th century onwards, with Pacinotti’s machine and some interactive exhibits.
- Operated by
- Università degli Studi di Cagliari – Dipartimento di Fisica
- Visitors per year
- approx. 500
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free admission.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum is on the ground floor of the Physics Department, in the university campus of Monserrato, along the SS 554 at kilometre marker 4,400.
Get directionsAmenities & 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. 2 hrs |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The museum welcomes groups of visitors and schools of all levels by appointment; the guided visit lasts about two hours and admits at most 40 visitors. Schools may request only one date per school year. |
