Parco culturale delle grotte di Equi e museo archeologico Cesare Ambrosi
Cultural park at Equi Terme with an archaeological museum in a former mill, finds from the Tecchia prehistoric site and the interactive geology museum ApuanGeoLab.
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About the museum
The cultural park of Equi Terme, within the Parco regionale delle Alpi Apuane (UNESCO Geopark), brings together in a single route the karst caves, the archaeological museum, the prehistoric site of the Tecchia and an earth sciences museum. It is managed by a company that organises visits and educational activities throughout the Lunigiana.
The archaeological museum occupies a former mill and holds materials from the excavations of the Tecchia di Equi, a cave that has been turned into a museum. The first excavations took place between 1911 and 1919 under the direction of Professor Carlo De Stefani, director of a Florentine geology and palaeontology museum. De Stefani argued that human groups of the Neo-Eneolithic, around five thousand years ago, had lived in the area alongside the cave bear, which was believed to have been extinct for tens of thousands of years: a claim that sparked a long scientific debate.
The rooms display original cave bear bones, including the complete skeleton of an adult and those of two cubs found in 2014, alongside a life-size reconstruction of the animal. A display case dedicated to De Stefani recreates the area he excavated, with finds from the Museo di Storia Naturale of the University of Florence, each with its original excavation tag. Panels with QR codes and an interactive station allow a virtual visit to the Tecchia. The route also includes ApuanGeoLab, an interactive geology museum, and the digital museum Gufo, devoted to local identity.
Highlights
- Complete skeleton of a cave bear and two cub skeletons
- Life-size reconstruction of the cave bear
- Display case on Carlo De Stefani’s excavations at the Tecchia di Equi
- Virtual visit to the prehistoric Tecchia
- ApuanGeoLab, an interactive geology museum with machines to try out
Permanent exhibitions
- Museo archeologico delle grotte di Equi – Finds from the Tecchia di Equi excavations, cave bear skeletons and a display case on Carlo De Stefani’s excavations.
- ApuanGeoLab – Interactive geology museum with machines that explain the structure of the Earth, plate tectonics, the origin of Apuan marble and erosion.
- Founded
- 2003
- Operated by
- Lunigiana Sostenibile (gestione per il Comune di Fivizzano)
- Visitors per year
- approx. 9,565
Admission & discounts
| Shared Proteo visit, adults (cave with guide, archaeological museum, Tecchia and ApuanGeoLab self-guided) | €14 |
|---|---|
| Proteo, children aged 6 to 10 | €8 |
| Proteo, children aged 4 to 5 | €2 |
| Proteo, family of 2 adults + 2 children | €36 |
The archaeological museum and ApuanGeoLab are included in the Proteo visit; a separate ticket for the museum alone is not listed on the website. Tickets and check-in on site (cash or card terminal); online booking recommended. Family of 2 adults + 1 child €32, 1 adult + 2 children €26.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- 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 route with the cave covers more than 700 m with a height difference of 140 m and 648 steps, similar to a mountain path: it is not suitable for people using crutches or wheelchairs, or for children carried in arms or in a pushchair; it is not recommended for people with heart or mobility problems. Helmets are provided; closed shoes with rubber soles are required.
Kids & families
Great for kids & familiesRecommended for ages 4+
| Time needed | approx. 1.75 hrs |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly: not available
Experiences for families and schools, ApuanGeoLab with machines to try out, reduced fares for children and family tickets. Events such as “Halloween in famiglia”, with free entry for children.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Stazione di Equi Terme
Equi Terme has its own station on the Lucca–Aulla railway line, connected with the Parma–La Spezia, Genoa–Rome and Florence–Pistoia–Lucca lines.
By car from Genoa, Livorno, Pisa, Pistoia, Parma, Versilia and Tigullio about 1 hour 40 minutes; from Bologna, Modena, Florence and Piacenza about two hours. Address: Via Buca 46, Equi Terme.
Get directionsAmenities & 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 | The Proteo visit lasts about 105 minutes: 50 minutes of guided tour inside the cave and the rest self-guided between the archaeological museum, the Tecchia and ApuanGeoLab. Minimum age 4 years, provided children can walk unaided. Groups, schools and adventure experiences can be booked all year round; guided excursions in the Apuan Alps park are also offered. |
