Museo Paleontologico e Archeologico «Virginio Caccia»

About the museum

The museum is a municipal institution of San Colombano al Lambro, housed in Palazzo Patigno. Since 1927 it has preserved a collection of fossil finds from the ancient sea that once covered the area. The palaeontological and archaeological collections help explain the origins and history of the Colle di San Colombano, an isolated hill rising from the Po Valley.

The geographical and geological peculiarity of the hill has always attracted researchers and enthusiasts. The oldest known scientific study dates from 1784 and was written by Severino Volta, brother of the more famous Alessandro and a professor at the University of Pavia. From the 18th century to the 1950s, the hill was a destination for leading earth scientists, who regarded it as a true natural laboratory.

Most of the material comes from excavations linked to agricultural work on the hill. The finds include cattle remains and skull fragments with horn cores of Bison priscus. The museum’s activity is mainly educational and aimed at the public.

Highlights

• Fossils from the ancient sea of the Colle di San Colombano
• Archaeological finds from excavations on the hill
• Skull fragments of Bison priscus
• Housed in Palazzo Patigno

Permanent exhibition

• Collezioni paleontologiche e archeologiche – Fossils from the ancient sea and archaeological finds from the Colle di San Colombano.

Operated by

Comune di San Colombano al Lambro

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission, according to a museum portal.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

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Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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