Museo paleontologico territoriale dell'Astigiano
Museum in Asti with Pliocene fossils, whale skeletons and a coral aquarium, housed in the Palazzo del Michelerio.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum is based in Asti in the Palazzo del Michelerio, a building of 16th-century origin that was first a monastery and now belongs to the Azienda Territoriale della Casa (the local housing agency). It is run by the Ente di gestione del Parco paleontologico astigiano, which looks after and promotes the fossil heritage of the area.
The route is divided into two sections. The first, on the mezzanine floor, tells the story of the last 25 million years of geological and palaeontological history between the Miocene and the Pliocene, when the Po Valley was a tropical sea, with particular attention to molluscs. The second presents skeletal remains of whales and dolphins from the Pliocene, which lived between about 5 and 2 million years ago and were found in the Asti area.
A marine tank of over 3,000 litres with corals of various species enriches the visit. The museum offers guided tours, educational activities for schools and family initiatives, and it also uses the spaces of the former Chiesa del Gesù for exhibitions.
Highlights
- Whale and dolphin skeletons from the Pliocene
- Section on the geological history of the last 25 million years
- Marine tank with corals of over 3,000 litres
- Palazzo del Michelerio, a 16th-century former monastery
Permanent exhibition
- Percorso paleontologico e cetacei del Pliocene – Two sections on the geological history of the last 25 million years and on the fossil cetaceans of the Asti area, with a coral aquarium.
- Operated by
- Ente di gestione del Parco paleontologico astigiano
- Visitors per year
- approx. 14,995
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5 |
| Guided tour | €10 |
Admission included with the Abbonamento Musei card.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- 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 route is accessible to people with mobility impairments, with an alternative entrance and a lift. A reduced ticket is provided for people with disabilities and one for their companion.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
Pram parking, baby-changing facilities, play mats and a breastfeeding space are available. The museum suggests time slots for families and offers workshops and dynamic tours.
Getting there & parking
By car
- Accessible parking
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 | Guided tours illustrate the fossils and the prehistoric aquarium. For schools there are educational activities at the museum, in the Valle Botto Nature Reserve and at the Cortiglione geosite. |
