Museo di Storia Naturale dell'Università di Pisa

About the museum

The museum is housed in the Certosa di Pisa at Calci, about ten kilometres from the city: a historic monastic complex that today holds the natural history collections of the University of Pisa. The university's natural history collections, built up over the centuries, are displayed here on a route open to the public.

The route includes, among other rooms, the Sala degli archeoceti, the Galleria dei cetacei, the room on human evolution, the room “La Terra tra mito e scienza” and an aquarium. Some displays have tactile supports.

The museum also runs educational activities for schools and families, and inclusion programmes such as “Per tutti e per ciascuno” and “Museo per l'Alzheimer”. As it is a historic building, not all rooms are air-conditioned.

Highlights

• Galleria dei cetacei
• Sala degli archeoceti
• Room on human evolution
• Aquarium
• Monumental Certosa of Calci

Permanent exhibition

• Esposizioni permanenti – Natural history collections with the Galleria dei cetacei, the Sala degli archeoceti, the room on human evolution and the aquarium.

Founded

1866

Operated by

Università di Pisa

Visitors per year

approx. 93,591

Admission & discounts

The single ticket covers the permanent displays, the aquarium and the temporary exhibition on show. Free admission also for employees and students of the University of Pisa (including Erasmus students), tourist guides and hiking environmental guides; a valid document is required for reductions and free admission.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The upper floors are reached by internal stairs or ramps, partly with electric stair lifts; the ramps start from an unpaved sloping external path, and floors, thresholds and steps are uneven. Accessible toilets near the ticket office and next to the room “La Terra tra mito e scienza”. Tactile supports in the Sala degli archeoceti, the Galleria dei cetacei, the room on human evolution and the Aquarium. Four reserved parking spaces: two in the car park near the entrance and two in Via della Certosa. Guide dogs and other assistance animals are admitted, as are small dogs in a carrier. Information: 050 2212979, museoaccessibile@msn.unipi.it.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Family ticket and educational offers for schools and out-of-school activities.

Getting there & parking

By car: from the A12 take the Pisa centro exit; from the FI-PI-LI take the Cascina or Navacchio exits. The Misericordia di Calci offers free transport from the centre of the village to the museum on Mondays and Wednesdays, with booking at least 24 hours in advance (050 938400).

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit