Museo naturalistico della Riserva naturale orientata di Onferno

About the museum

The museum was set up in 1995 by the municipality of Gemmano within the Riserva naturale orientata di Onferno (Onferno Oriented Nature Reserve), a protected area of about 270 hectares next to a famous gypsum cave that extends for over 700 metres and descends more than 70 metres. It is housed in the rebuilt and renovated former parish church of Santa Colomba, documented from 1136 and severely damaged during the last war, in the small medieval village of the Onferno castle.

The route opens with rock samples, especially various types of gypsum, and with a large model of a gypsum molecule magnified about 3,500 times. Two sections, ideally linked to the cave, are devoted to speleology and bats: seven bat species live in the cavity, about 6,000 individuals in all, one of the largest and most varied colonies in Italy.

Local flora and fauna are also presented, with display cases, educational panels, multimedia and interactive stations, a diorama of amphibians, reptiles and large mammals, and a section on nesting birds. The visit is designed as an introduction to the reserve, the hill-flora garden and the cave, to be explored with the staff on duty.

Highlights

• Model of a gypsum molecule magnified about 3,500 times
• Sections on speleology and bats (colony of about 6,000 individuals)
• Diorama of local amphibians, reptiles and large mammals
• Multimedia stations and interactive displays
• Housed in the former parish church of Santa Colomba, next to the Onferno cave

Permanent exhibitions

• Geologia, speleologia e chirotteri – Rock and gypsum samples, the model of the gypsum molecule, and the sections on the cave and the bats.
• Flora e fauna della riserva – Display cases, panels, multimedia stations and a diorama of the reserve’s species.

Founded

1995

Operated by

Comune di Gemmano

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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 municipality states that it offers an inclusive museum experience accessible to all visitors, including people with disabilities; no further details are published.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in Onferno, a hamlet of Gemmano, about thirty kilometres from Rimini: from Rimini (Rimini Sud exit of the A14) take the SP 31 to Coriano, then continue to Gemmano and Onferno; from Riccione and Cattolica go up the Conca valley to Marciano di Romagna and Gemmano.

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