Museo dell'Ossidiana
The only obsidian museum in Sardinia and Europe: geology, archaeology and prehistoric working of the volcanic glass from Monte Arci.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museo dell’Ossidiana in Pau is the only museum in Sardinia and in Europe devoted to this volcanic rock; one other similar museum exists, in Japan. Founded in 2007 to present the results of research by a study group coordinated by Professor Carlo Lugliè of the Università di Cagliari, it opened to the public on 6 March 2010 under the scientific direction of Lugliè himself, who also led the study and design of the exhibition route.
In 2014 it was the first museum in Sardinia to receive regional recognition under regional law no. 14 of 2006; since 2021 it has been part of the Sistema Museale Nazionale (National Museum System). The museum is in the centre of Pau, at the foot of Monte Arci, from which the raw materials worked for millennia by prehistoric communities came.
The exhibition is divided into a scientific section, which illustrates the geological and archaeological aspects, and an artistic section with two collections of artworks and crafts. The rooms explain how obsidian forms, its characteristics and its distribution around the world, the deposits of Monte Arci and the techniques of flaking, with replicas of tools and artefacts to touch. The walk through the Parco dell’ossidiana on Monte Arci completes the route.
Highlights
- The only obsidian museum in Sardinia and Europe
- Obsidian from locations around the world and from Monte Arci
- Prehistoric flaking with video and touch-screen multimedia
- Tactile route with replicas, Braille texts and video guides in LIS
- Parco dell’ossidiana on Monte Arci with prehistoric flaking areas
Permanent exhibitions
- Sezione scientifica: geologia e archeologia dell'ossidiana – Four rooms devoted to the raw materials of Monte Arci, the characteristics of obsidian, the Sardinian deposits and prehistoric flaking, with a small multimedia room.
- Sezione artistica e artigianale – In the loggia, objects by Sardinian craftspeople who have worked obsidian with modern techniques, inspired by archaeological artefacts.
- Founded
- 2010
- Director
- Laura Fanti
- Visitors per year
- approx. 4,686
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3students of all levels, people with disabilities, groups of more than 15 people, active partnership agreements (Un Bosco da Fiaba, CEAS, FAI) |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 5 · Free admission for children under 6. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €3companion free · Reduced rate for people with disabilities; free admission for companions. |
| Students & apprentices | €3Students of all levels. |
| Groups (16+ people) | €3 per personReduced rate for groups of more than 15 people; one free companion for every 15 paying visitors. |
| Full ticket + guided tour | €8Reduced €6. |
| Guided tour supplement | €3To be added to the admission ticket; must be requested at the museum. |
| Audio guide supplement | €2To be added to the admission ticket; must be requested at the museum. |
| Workshop for schools and families | €5 |
| Special excavation | €10 |
Free admission also for teachers accompanying school groups and for residents of the municipality of Pau. Tickets can be bought online or by contacting the museum staff.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Entrance accessible for people with mobility impairments; accessible toilets on the ground floor. Tactile route with replicas of finds and Braille descriptions in every room, three video guides in LIS, seating along the route. Guide dogs are admitted in all public areas.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
The route includes multimedia displays and sheets for younger visitors, replicas to touch, and experimental archaeology workshops for families (stone polishing, cutting with obsidian, prehistoric painting).
Getting there & parking
By car
Free parking
Numerous free car and motorcycle parking spaces on Via San Giorgio, where the museum entrance is.
The museum is in the centre of Pau. From Cagliari: E25/SS131 towards Sassari to km 56, then SP46 towards Gonnostramatza, Ales and Pau (SP 48).
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Coat check
- Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi in all museum spaces; free left-luggage and cloakroom near the entrance; bookshop with gifts, jewellery and books on obsidian; digital library available during opening hours.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (IT, EN, FR, ES, DE) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Audio guides are available in Italian, English, French, Spanish and German; panels are in Italian and English. Pets are admitted. Guided tours of the museum and the Parco dell’ossidiana, workshops and school trips can be booked by contacting the museum. |