Museo Gemma 1786

About the museum

The museum holds collections of 18th-century origin, derived from the Museum of Natural History of the Royal University of Modena, wanted in 1786 by Duke Francis III d’Este. In 1814 a precious collection of minerals donated by Maximilian of Austria-Este led to the separation of the geological and mineralogical collections from the zoological ones; from 1840 Pietro Doderlein reorganised the heritage and enriched it with palaeontological collections. In the second half of the 19th century the mineralogical section reached its greatest development, with important acquisitions.

During the Second World War the collections were evacuated and divided among the institutes of palaeontology, mineralogy and geology. Since 2005 the museum has been known as Gemma 1786 and is part of the museum centre of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia.

The permanent exhibitions are on the second floor of the west wing of Palazzo Sant’Eufemia, in the historic centre. The heritage includes rocks, minerals, meteorites, hard and precious stones, maps, documents and historical instruments, among them the zeolite collection and the meteorite that fell at Albareto di Modena in the 18th century. In the 20th century the collection was enlarged with donations and with materials collected by the department’s researchers in regions such as Greenland, Brazil, Africa, Australia and Antarctica.

Highlights

• Albareto meteorite, which fell near Modena
• Zeolite collection
• Worked stones that belonged to the Este family
• Minerals and rocks collected from the 18th century to the present
• Maps, documents and historical instruments

Permanent exhibition

• Collezioni permanenti del Museo Gemma – Minerals, rocks, meteorites, worked stones, maps and historical instruments in the rooms on the second floor of Palazzo Sant’Eufemia.

Founded

1786

Operated by

Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia

Visitors per year

approx. 12,650

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission for individual visits is free; group visits, school and non-school, and educational activities cost different amounts depending on the type of activity.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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

Access to the museum is ensured by compliant lifts, and the rooms have wide corridors.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

From the railway station the museum is about a 10-minute walk away; the seat is Palazzo Sant’Eufemia, in the historic centre of Modena.

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