Museo di scienze della Terra
University museum with collections of rocks, minerals, fossils and anthropological finds in twenty thematic display cases, with free admission by reservation.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museo di Scienze della Terra is part of the Sistema Museale Universitario Senese (Sienese University Museum System) and is based in the Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences of the University of Siena, in Via del Laterino. It collects, catalogues, conserves and promotes geological materials such as rocks, fossils and minerals, as well as historic scientific instruments linked to the Earth sciences.
The collections include cartographic, geological, mineralogical, petrographic, palaeontological and anthropological materials, with some hundreds of specimens distributed in twenty thematic display cases, and a collection of ornamental and building stones used in historic times in the Siena area. There are also anthropological finds from the Palaeolithic to the Middle Ages and casts of hominids such as Lucy.
Among the most remarkable pieces are a barite crystal over 50 cm long, believed to be the largest specimen of this species found to date, large samples of sulphur from the Sicilian mines, a botryoidal malachite from the former Congo and a Brazilian quartz with inclusions of scorlite. The collections are spread across the three buildings of the department; the museum also offers geology workshops and excursions for schools.
Highlights
- Barite crystal over 50 cm long
- Twenty thematic display cases on rocks, minerals and fossils
- Collection of ornamental stones and Sienese building stones
- Casts of hominids, including Lucy
- About 20,000 geological maps and workshops for schools
Permanent exhibition
- Collezioni di scienze della Terra – Rocks, minerals, fossils, anthropological finds and geological maps presented in twenty thematic display cases.
- Founded
- 2001
- Operated by
- Università di Siena – Sistema Museale Universitario Senese
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free admission; guided visits are charged.
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 hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Visits by reservation by e-mail at least 24 hours in advance. The museum offers geology workshops and excursions for schools of every level; guided visits are charged. |
