Valcaria
Territorio Dinópolis venue in Ariño showing the Cretaceous environment and the dinosaurs found in the Santa María coal mine.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Valcaria is one of the venues of Territorio Dinópolis, the network of centres run by the Fundación Dinópolis in the province of Teruel, and it opened in 2015 in Ariño. It is an interpretation centre and museum presenting the palaeontological finds from the Santa María coal mine, where the foundation has been working since 2010.
The exhibition is organised into ten areas that explain the scientific information in an accessible way. It includes reconstructions of the Cretaceous environment, with the vegetation and fauna of about 111 million years ago, models, panels and interactive displays. Highlights include the reconstruction of Europelta carbonensis, the most complete armoured dinosaur found in Europe, and a space devoted to Proa valdearinnoensis, a dinosaur discovered in Ariño.
Another area evokes the inside of a mine, and an audiovisual by the documentary maker Javier Trueba recounts the palaeontological work at the Santa María mine site. The mascot Yardank accompanies visitors. Visits can be guided or self-guided.
Highlights
- Reconstructions of the Cretaceous environment of about 111 million years ago
- Europelta carbonensis, the most complete armoured dinosaur in Europe
- Space on Proa valdearinnoensis, found in Ariño
- Area evoking the inside of a coal mine
- Audiovisual on the Santa María mine site
Permanent exhibition
- Valcaria: dinosaurios y ambiente cretácico – Ten areas with reconstructions of the Cretaceous, the dinosaur Europelta carbonensis, a mine area and an audiovisual on the site.
- Founded
- 2015
- Operated by
- Fundación Conjunto Paleontológico de Teruel-Dinópolis
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4.50Children aged 4 to 11 and people aged 60 and over |
| Children & teens | €4.50free up to age 3 · Free admission for children aged 0 to 3 (Dinobaby) |
| Seniors | €4.50People aged 60 and over |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · 20% discount for a disability of 33% to 64%; for a disability of 65% or more, 20% discount and one free companion (booking on +34 978 617 715 or dinopolis@dinopolis.com) |
| Families | –15% discount for large families and single-parent families |
| Dinópolis + all venues (2026 season) | €37From €37 for adults and from €30 for children and people over 60; valid on non-consecutive days |
Price of admission to one venue (2026 season): adults aged 12 to 59, €5.50; children aged 4 to 11 and people over 60, €4.50. Prices may change during the season.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Free parking
Parking is free at all Dinópolis centres.
Valcaria is next to the Centro de Interpretación del Arte Rupestre Antonio Beltrán, headquarters of the Parque Cultural del Río Martín, in Ariño.
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 · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The visit to the venue is guided and lasts about one hour; a self-guided visit is also available. |
