Civico Museo Insubrico di Storia Naturale e Visitor Center Monte San Giorgio UNESCO
Museum | Clivio | Lombardia | Italy
The "Civico Museo Insubrico di Storia Naturale e Visitor Center Monte San Giorgio UNESCO" in Clivio, Italy, is a significant natural history museum that focuses on the diverse natural history of the Insubrian region, with a special emphasis on the UNESCO World Heritage site of Monte San Giorgio.
The museum spans multiple floors and houses various exhibition rooms that present different aspects of natural history:
Paleontology: This area showcases fossils from excavations at Monte San Giorgio, including fish, reptiles, and other marine life from the Middle Triassic. Particularly notable are the exhibits of Lariosaurus valceresii, an almost complete skeleton of a reptile that is considered the type species.
Mineralogy and Geology: Here, minerals from the surrounding area as well as geological formations are presented. A highlight is the replica of a karst shaft created by speleologists of the Gruppo Speleologico Prealpino to illustrate the region's geological processes.
Zoology: This room focuses on the local wildlife with a collection of preserved animals, including mammals, birds, and fish. Interactive elements such as a virtual reality experience allow visitors to experience the habitat of a Lataste's rat from the animal's perspective.
Botany and Mycology: The flora of the region is represented through a herbarium and a collection of fungi. A xylotheque offers the opportunity to explore different types of wood and understand their morphological characteristics.
The museum also serves as a visitor center for the UNESCO World Heritage site of Monte San Giorgio, offering digital experiences that bring the region's prehistoric marine world to life. An interactive virtual reality experience allows visitors to dive into the Triassic seas and explore the ancient animal world.
In addition to the permanent exhibitions, the museum regularly organizes workshops, lectures, and educational programs aimed at various age groups to raise awareness of the natural diversity of the Insubrian region.
The "Civico Museo Insubrico di Storia Naturale e Visitor Center Monte San Giorgio UNESCO" is therefore a significant place for education and research, vividly presenting the rich natural history of the region and preserving the heritage of Monte San Giorgio.
