Museo paleontologico "Giulio Maini"

About the museum

The museum is dedicated to Giulio Maini, a naturalist from Ovada who collected and preserved minerals and fossils, mostly from the local area. The Briata-Maini family carried on his work of public education and teaching for years. Since 2003 the collection has been housed in the former church of Sant'Antonio.

The building, part of a small hospital complex, was erected in the 14th century outside the built-up area of Ovada and remodelled in the 18th century. In 1840, after being used as a lazaretto during a cholera epidemic, it was closed to worship; in 1882 it became a prison and remained one until 1989.

The route, with a strong educational focus, starts from the general themes of fossil study and illustrates the geological eras with the evolution of organisms and their environments, including a section on the formation of the Bacino Terziario Piemontese. The collections comprise over 2,000 specimens, in particular fossil crabs, among them the rare species Calappilia mainii, Oligocene palaeoflora, minerals from the Alessandria and Ligurian Apennines with a small section on gold, and about 250 modern shells. Three former prison cells house minerals and shells.

Highlights

• Fossil crabs of the Bacino Terziario Piemontese, including Calappilia mainii
• Oligocene palaeoflora and plant imprints from the past
• Minerals from the Alessandria and Ligurian Apennines, with a section on gold
• Former church of Sant'Antonio, once a lazaretto and prison

Permanent exhibition

• Collezioni paleontologiche e mineralogiche – Fossils, crabs of the Bacino Terziario Piemontese, palaeoflora, minerals and shells, with a route through the geological eras.

Founded

2003

Operated by

Comune di Ovada

Visitors per year

approx. 1,075

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• 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 museum is accessible to people with mobility impairments, with an alternative entrance equipped with a bell and accessible toilets; admission is free for people with disabilities and their companions.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Visit materials for children and educational workshops are available.

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.

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