NAT LAB – Museo naturalistico dell'Arcipelago Toscano
Small natural history museum on the first floor of the Forte Inglese in Portoferraio, with insect, fauna and flora collections from the Tuscan islands and an education centre.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
NAT LAB is a small natural history museum on the first floor of the Forte Inglese in Portoferraio, opened in 2019 as a joint project of the Comune di Portoferraio and the Parco Nazionale dell’Arcipelago Toscano. It was conceived by local citizen Leonardo Forbicioni as a point of reference for naturalists and enthusiasts of the park.
The entomological, zoological and botanical collections come from the Tuscan islands, with particular attention to insects. The route begins with a room dedicated to six great naturalists, including Linnaeus, Darwin and Cuvier, continues with a section on pollinators, and has as its mascot Meira, named after a rare beetle that lives only on Monte Calamita. In each room, tablets with photos and audio recordings explore the species on display.
The fort was built in the 18th century under Cosimo III de’ Medici, passed to the English in 1796 and was expanded by Napoleon in 1814. Restored and completed in 2015, it now hosts exhibitions, concerts and events. The park offers guided tours and educational workshops.
Highlights
- Sala dei naturalisti with Linnaeus, Darwin and Cuvier
- Insect collections from the Tuscan islands
- Section on pollinators
- Tablets with photos and audio of the species
- NatLab app for Android and iOS
Permanent exhibition
- Collezioni naturalistiche delle isole toscane – Entomological, zoological and botanical collections, with a room dedicated to great naturalists and a section on pollinators.
- Founded
- 2019
- Operated by
- Comune di Portoferraio e Parco Nazionale dell'Arcipelago Toscano
- Visitors per year
- approx. 2,080
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free admission according to the Musei online register; the listing of the Sistema Museale dell’Arcipelago Toscano does not state any prices.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: not available
- 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 ground floor of the fort is easily accessible, but the museum is on the first floor and can only be reached by stairs, with no lift or stairlift. The bilingual multimedia displays, audiovisual aids and the app make the exhibition accessible to visitors with other disabilities too.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
The museum has an education centre and a mascot, Meira; the Park organises workshops.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Large car park in front of the fort.
Address: Forte Inglese, Via Giagnoni 5, Portoferraio.
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 |
| Good to know | The Park offers guided tours, educational workshops and other activities, by reservation. There is a large car park in front of the fort. |
