Museo naturalistico archeologico Paolo Barrasso
Museum at the visitor centre of Caramanico Terme, with natural history, geology and archaeology sections on the Majella and the Tana della Lontra educational route.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum is in the visitor centre of the Majella National Park at Caramanico Terme, in the hamlet of Santa Croce, near the town’s ancient sulphur springs. It is named after Paolo Barrasso and is part of the park’s system of visitor centres.
The natural history section recreates the Majella’s habitats, from high-altitude plateaus to dwarf mountain pine scrub, cliffs and beech woods, and has display cases on geology and fossils. An educational route, the Tana della Lontra (Otter’s Den), reproduces the underground den of this rare aquatic mustelid and is linked to the species protection project.
The archaeology section holds finds from the northern Majella, from the Lower Palaeolithic to the Roman period, and is accessible to blind and partially sighted people. Next to the museum are a study centre, with a lecture hall, a natural history library and a scientific laboratory, and a wildlife area dedicated to the Eurasian otter.
Highlights
- Reconstructions of Majella habitats
- Geology and fossils
- Tana della Lontra (Otter’s Den), educational route
- Archaeological finds from the Palaeolithic to the Roman period
- Otter wildlife area
Permanent exhibitions
- Sezione naturalistica e Tana della Lontra – Reconstruction of Majella habitats, display cases on geology and fossils, and an educational route reproducing an otter’s den.
- Sezione archeologica – Finds from the northern Majella, from the Lower Palaeolithic to the Roman period.
- Operated by
- Parco Nazionale della Maiella
- Visitors per year
- approx. 20,323
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €2.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2 |
Admission is charged (€2.50 standard, €2 reduced, according to a sector portal, August 2024). Guided tours by reservation, individual or for groups.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- 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
The archaeology section is accessible to blind and partially sighted people.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
The Tana della Lontra is an educational route also designed for children; the centre offers environmental education activities for schools.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Sale of books and guides, including the official map of the park’s trails.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours by reservation via the calendar, or privately for groups. Evening guided tours at the otter wildlife area are available by reservation. Bookings and information: telephone 085 922343 (operator 9:00–18:00) or WhatsApp 347 036 7084. |
