Museo di Zoologia e Casa delle Farfalle
The oldest zoological museum in Sicily, in the Cittadella degli studi in Catania, with exotic animals, an African elephant and a sperm whale.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum was founded in 1853 by Andrea Aradas as the cabinet of the chair of Zoology at the University of Catania. The original nucleus consisted of specimens donated by members of the Accademia Gioenia di Scienze Naturali, and for this reason it is regarded as the oldest zoological museum on the island.
Until 1920 the collections remained in the central university building in Piazza Università. In 1923 they were moved to the Art Nouveau (liberty) building in via Androne, where they still are today, in the Cittadella degli studi, next to the Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences.
The current display, the third since the move, presents animals from around the world, including Australian marsupials, hummingbirds, a sperm whale, an African elephant, a polar bear and a Kirk’s dik-dik. One section is devoted to human evolution, with fossil skulls and facial reconstructions, and another to the history of taxidermy and of animal display since the nineteenth century. The museum belongs to the university museum system (Sistema museale d’ateneo); the adjoining Butterfly House (Casa delle Farfalle) is currently closed.
Highlights
- African elephant
- Skeleton of a sperm whale
- Australian marsupials and hummingbirds
- Fossil skulls and reconstructions of human evolution
- Art Nouveau building of 1923 in the Cittadella degli studi
Permanent exhibitions
- Collezione zoologica – Specimens of exotic and Mediterranean fauna, including an African elephant, a sperm whale, a polar bear and Australian marsupials.
- Evoluzione umana – Fossil skulls and facial reconstructions tracing about six million years of human evolution.
- Founded
- 1853
- Operated by
- Università degli Studi di Catania
- Visitors per year
- approx. 11,000
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Admission is free.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
For schools, guided tours are offered on themes chosen by teachers, such as adaptation, invertebrates, origin of life and biomes.
Getting there & parking
The museum is located in the Cittadella degli studi, with entrance from via Androne, in the same building as the Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences.
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 |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography is allowed without flash. |
| Good to know | Booking is mandatory for organised groups and schools (guided tours only on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays). Visitors are advised to arrive with few personal belongings and to avoid backpacks and large bags. Touching display cases, objects and specimens is prohibited. The Butterfly House is currently closed. |
