Museo Missionario Cinese e di Storia Naturale
Museum in the Franciscan convent of Sava with Chinese objects brought back by missionaries and rich natural history sections; visitable only with a guided tour.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum was founded in 1963 by Father Egidio De Tommaso. Its initial core consisted of objects brought from China by Father Egidio Santoro, a Franciscan missionary who was active for over forty years in the Middle East.
The collections grew through donations and through collaboration with the University of Salento, WWF and Legambiente. In 2005, after three years of renovation work, the museum moved to the convent of San Francesco d'Assisi in Sava, where it is located today.
The route tells the story of the activity of the Friars Minor of Salento in China, Taiwan, the Holy Land and Albania, and the naturalistic passion of its founders.
Highlights
- Room on the history of the museum and the missionary work of the Friars Minor
- Ancient and modern Chinese culture: bronzes, silks, porcelain, coins, weapons and musical instruments
- Fossil and mineral sections
- Marine fauna with shells, madrepores, corals and crustaceans
- Terrestrial fauna with mammals, reptiles, insects and birds
- Room dedicated to the Aboriginal culture Ayatal
- Founded
- 1963
- Operated by
- Frati Minori del Salento (Provincia di Lecce)
- Visitors per year
- approx. 1,000
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
The website indicates a car park near the schools on Via Sardegna.
The website describes the route by car from Lecce (Corso Umberto, Via Mazzini, Via Brindisi, Via Verona, Via Elba, Via Ponza, Corso Italia, Via Sardegna) and from Taranto (Via Vittorio Emanuele, Via Verona, Via Elba, Via Ponza, Corso Italia, Via Sardegna).
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 |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The museum can only be visited with a guided tour; for guided tours contact Father Agostino on +39 393 930 3401 or by email at info@museomissionariocinese.org. A virtual tour is also available on the website. |
