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Natural History Museum, Ferrara

Natural History Museum, Ferrara

Civic Museum of Natural History (Museo Civico di Storia Naturale) in Ferrara is a perfect example for other museums of this kind. It became a naturalistic headquarters in the region, developed in accordance with the model of the eco-museum system, which combines exhibition spaces and training centers. It features a beautiful zoological collection, supplemented by geological samples.

History of the museum

The core of the present museum was the donation of the priest Antonio Marescotti of his collection of minerals in the mid-18th century. It was accepted by already existing at the time Civil Museum. A collection of minerals already included about 3000 items in 1825. In 1850, a donation of some zoological specimens was made from Africa by the physician Elia Rossi, who worked in Egypt. In 1862, the University of Ferrara decided to create a museum in order to spread the activities of the newly formed department of natural history. In 1864 this decision was approved by the city authorities. On May 26, 1872 the museum was gloriously opened in the former monastery. By the end of the 19th century, it collected more than 74,000 exhibits. In 1892, the institution was closed for a lengthy reorganization.

In 1935 the construction of a new building for the museum began on the foundation of a medieval hospital. The project was led by the brothers Carlo and Girolamo Savonuzzi. In 1937 the museum collections were moved to a new building. Unfortunately, because of World War II, it resumed its work only in 1952. Having replaced several directors and survived another restoration, the museum received a regional award Quality Museum in 2010, as the recognition of its achievements.

Exposition of the museum

The museum has a huge number of exhibits at its disposal, which are divided into several parts. The smaller part of the collection is paleontological and geological collections. Among them there are several collections of fossils: the collection of Carlo Pesarini (1989) and Monte Mario. The latter was donated to Angelo Conti in 1870. The total number of their samples is more than 17,000, mainly mollusks and fish. Also in the museum there is a valuable collection of minerals by Dr. Giorgio Dalrio from Bologna, in which there are quite a few rare specimens.

  • Zoological collections make up the bulk of the museum. Among all their innumerable sets, there are several sections:
  • Collection Guido Campadelli. A rich entomological collection donated to the museum in 2004 by the heirs of the scientist. The number of copies is simply unthinkable, given that they were collected by one person, and it includes about 24000 pieces.
  • Herpetological collection. It is a huge collection of both – local representatives of reptiles, and quite exotic. It includes 1,739 specimens of amphibians and 811 reptiles.
  • Collection of shellfish. It is presented by a gift collection of Giorgio Lazzari (1999) and Romano Arnaldo (1997), and by their own research station. The total number of exhibits is about 10,000 pieces.
  • Ornithological collection. It is about 2100 exhibits.
  • Collection of mammals. It collected 1726 samples, both taxidermic and bone.

The museum also has its own ecological station, founded in 1987. It deals with the study of ecosystems, biological communities and populations of animal species, with special emphasis on their habitat. Naturally, as in other modern museums, seminars, conferences and various educational programs for schools and universities are constantly held here.

How to get there

The museum is located in the historic center of Ferrara, on Via de Pisis Filippo, 24. It is surrounded by beautiful old streets, and the Castle of Saint Michele and the Museum of Risorgimento and Resistance are situated not far from it. Nearby there are bus stops Palestro De Pisis (routes 3, 390) and Giovecca Teatini (routes 1, 6, 7, 9, 21, 323, 392).

Opening hours: from 9:00 to 18:00. Monday is the day off. Phone number: (+39) 0532 203381.

Admission: the price of the full ticket is 4 euro, with a discount – 2 euro. The discount is valid for students (18-25), pensioners over 65 and groups of 15 people. For children under 18 – admission is free. Data can be changed.

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