Museo di Storia Naturale del Vulture

About the museum

The museum occupies the first two floors of the Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo, on the shores of the Lago Piccolo di Monticchio, at the foot of Mount Vulture. It was created by the Province of Potenza as part of the “Appennino Parco d'Europa” project, and for this reason it is often described as a museum inside another museum.

The abbey has ancient origins: the cult of Saint Michael developed in a cave carved into the rock. Then Italo-Greek monks settled here, followed by the Benedictines, who left the complex in 1456. It then passed to the Capuchins and, in the modern age, to a chivalric order. The building now belongs to the State.

The exhibition route traces the history of the volcano, whose activity ceased around 130,000 years ago, and that of its territory up to the present day. The main topics are the geology and palaeontology of the area. One source also mentions a multimedia display dedicated to a rare moth of prehistoric origin.

Highlights

• Geological history of the extinct Vulture volcano
• Sections on geology and palaeontology
• Located on the lower floors of the Abbey of San Michele
• Nature trail from the Monticchio lakes to the abbey

Permanent exhibition

• La storia del vulcano Vulture – The route tells the story of the volcano's birth, evolution and extinction, and the natural history of the territory up to today.

Operated by

Provincia di Potenza (promotore del museo)

Admission & discounts

Prices according to a listing updated in April 2023; they may have changed.

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 located in the abbey on the Lago Piccolo di Monticchio. From the lakes, a nature trail of about 2 km leads to the abbey.

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