Museo storico dei motori e dei meccanismi

About the museum

The Museo dei Motori is part of the Museum System of the University of Palermo and was founded to protect and enhance the historic heritage of engines. The first items of the collection date back to 1866, when the Regia Scuola di Applicazione per Ingegneri e Architetti of the Regia Università di Palermo was established; many objects were acquired and used over time for research and teaching and, overtaken by new technologies, now form a heritage that documents the evolution of engines in every field of application.

The museum was inaugurated in 2011 after an extensive restoration and display project. The collection includes stationary, marine, aircraft, car and motorcycle engines, hydraulic machines, teaching mechanisms, instruments and accessories. Standing out are the steam engines of the late 19th century, numerous car and aircraft engines from the early 20th century, and the historic FIAT G.59 4B aircraft, one of only five complete examples to survive.

In view of the importance of its heritage, the museum was the first in Italy to receive the international recognition Mechanical Engineering Heritage Collection of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. A well-equipped laboratory takes care of the restoration and maintenance of the historic objects.

Highlights

• Historic FIAT G.59 4B aircraft
• Steam engines of the late 19th century
• Car, aircraft, marine and motorcycle engines
• Teaching mechanisms and scientific instruments
• Restoration laboratory
• Mechanical Engineering Heritage Collection recognition from the ASME

Permanent exhibition

• Collezione permanente di motori e meccanismi – Sections devoted to stationary, marine, aircraft, car and motorcycle engines, hydraulic machines, teaching mechanisms, instruments and historic aircraft.

Founded

2011

Operated by

Università degli Studi di Palermo – Sistema Museale di Ateneo

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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 museum is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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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