Museo Paleontologico di Roncà
Museum in Roncà with invertebrate and vertebrate fossils about 40 million years old, minerals and dioramas of the Val d'Alpone, in three rooms.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum was founded in the 1970s on the initiative of young enthusiasts of palaeontology, who set up a centre for natural history. After a temporary exhibition on fossils in 1973, the Associazione Paleontologica Gruppo Val Nera della Vallata dell'Alpone was established in 1974; in 1975 the municipality made two small rooms in the village square available and the first fossil museum was opened.
After the building was restored in the 1980s and a period in temporary premises at the middle school, the current museum was inaugurated on 28 February 2004, in three rooms of a new municipal building in via Garibaldi. Management passed over time from a social cooperative to the association; since 2016 it has been entrusted to Giancarlo Tessari, one of the founders of the association.
The educational and scientific route is spread over two floors: on the ground floor, the present-day fauna, flora and biodiversity of Roncà; on the first floor, two rooms on the environment of 40 million years ago, one with invertebrate fossils and minerals and the other with vertebrates, among them sirenids and crocodiles. Since 2010, excavations authorised by the heritage authority (Soprintendenza) have been under way, and the museum also offers a nature trail and guided visits in the area.
Highlights
- Fossil invertebrates and minerals from Roncà (gastropods, bivalves, corals)
- Fossil vertebrates such as sirenids and crocodiles
- Dioramas of the environment 40 million years ago
- Nature trail with waterfalls and volcanic rocks
- Guided visits to Monte Calvarina
Permanent exhibition
- Percorso museale geo-paleontologico – Three rooms on the present-day biodiversity of Roncà, fossil invertebrates and minerals, and fossil vertebrates about 40 million years old.
- Founded
- 1975
- Operated by
- Comune di Roncà (gestione: Associazione Val Nera)
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
The museum aims above all to educate young people to love nature, and offers educational services and guided routes in the area.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
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
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Educational services and guided visits by booking: nature trail with waterfalls and volcanic rocks, a natural and cultural trail, hikes on Monte Calvarina and visits to local food and wine specialities, with two equipped picnic areas. Information at +39 335 607 4811 or from the Roncà municipal office, +39 045 746 0477. |
