Museo di Paleontologia

About the museum

The history of the Museo di Paleontologia begins in 1932, when the reorganization of university studies led to the creation of the chair of Paleontology and, as was customary at the time, to a museum to house the collections and support teaching. The museum occupied rooms in the SS. Marcellino e Festo building, to which the geological and paleontological collections were moved; these had been acquired from the early 19th century by scholars such as Matteo Tondi, Arcangelo Scacchi, Guglielmo Guiscardi and Francesco Bassani.

The museum is set up in two halls on the southern side of the building and in several adjoining rooms, reached by crossing the cloister of San Marcellino. One of the two halls corresponds to the former chapter house of the monastic complex and is decorated with 18th-century Neapolitan majolica.

The collections, the result of field research, purchases, donations and exchanges, comprise just under 50,000 specimens of invertebrates, vertebrates and plants. The special 19th-century collections are of great historical and scientific value, including as documentation of the paleontology of Campania. It is the only paleontology museum with a dinosaur skeleton mounted in suspension above 18th-century majolica.

Highlights

• Around 50,000 fossil specimens of invertebrates, vertebrates and plants
• Skeleton of Allosaurus fragilis from the Late Jurassic of Utah
• Dinosaur mounted in suspension above 18th-century Neapolitan majolica
• Former chapter house decorated with 18th-century majolica
• Special 19th-century collections on the paleontology of Campania
• Route through the cloister of San Marcellino

Permanent exhibition

• Collezioni paleontologiche – Fossil invertebrates, vertebrates and plants from around the world, with the dinosaur skeleton in the chapter house and the special 19th-century collections.

Founded

1932

Operated by

Centro Musei delle Scienze Naturali e Fisiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II

Admission & discounts

Prices for a single museum (adults €2.50, children €1.50); the ticket office is shared by the whole Centro Musei. Free admission also for ANMS and ICOM members. Discounts: Artecard and Selecard 20%, Extramann 25% on the five-museum ticket. Since 1 March 2025 cash is no longer accepted; payment is by card only (POS).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• 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 Museo di Paleontologia has no architectural barriers. To help welcome visitors with special needs, it is advisable to contact the booking service before your visit.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Guided tours and educational workshops are available for schools; the Centro Musei also organizes birthday parties (2 hours).

Getting there & parking

From Piazza Garibaldi, take bus 151, 602 or R2, or metro line 1 to the Università stop and then walk along Corso Umberto I to via Mezzocannone 8. From Piazzale Tecchio (Campi Flegrei station), take bus 151 or metro line 2 to Piazza Cavour or Montesanto. The museum entrance is from Largo San Marcellino 10, through the cloister of San Marcellino.

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