The Giuseppe Orlandi Museum of Natural Sciences in Voghera is a hidden gem in the heart of Lombardy, a place where the fascination of nature meets the passion for knowledge and conservation of our natural heritage. Founded in 1971 thanks to the initiative of a group of friends passionate about palaeontology and mineralogy, the museum has grown over time, becoming a point of reference for nature lovers and the academic world
The birth of the Voghera Natural Science Museum is a story of passion and dedication. In 1971, a small group of local enthusiasts decided to unite their private collections of fossils and minerals to share them with the public. This initiative led to the founding of the Gruppo Geo-Paleontologico Vogherese (Voghera Geo-Paleontological Group), which has worked tirelessly ever since to promote knowledge of the natural sciences. The museum is not only an exhibition venue, but also an educational centre that provides valuable teaching support to schools and students in the region.
The Giuseppe Orlandi Museum of Natural Sciences offers visitors a unique experience thanks to its rich and diverse collections covering various areas of natural sciences.
Zoological Section: A Journey through Animal Species
The zoological section of the museum is one of the most fascinating, thanks to its extensive collection of animal specimens. Here, visitors can admire a rich ornithological collection that includes species such as the pink flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus), the grey heron (Ardea cinerea) and a variety of anatids. There is no shortage of diurnal birds of prey, including the impressive sea eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) and the buzzard (Buteo buteo). The section is not limited to birds, but also includes other vertebrates such as fish, amphibians and reptiles preserved in alcohol, as well as a selection of stuffed mammals. A significant part of the room is dedicated to invertebrates, with specimens of scorpions, freshwater crayfish, molluscs and insects.
Palaeontology Section: A Dive into the Past
Palaeontology was the first discipline to be represented in the museum, and the section dedicated to this science is full of exhibits that tell the story of life on Earth. The section consists of three main parts: an introductory section and two exhibition sections showing fossils of invertebrates and vertebrates, many of them from the local area, but with specimens also from other parts of the world. Among the most interesting exhibits is a fragment of a antler belonging to an extinct species of elk, characterised by impressive antlers, found in Quaternary deposits of the Po River alluvium.
Mineralogy Section: The Beauty of Crystals
The Mineralogy Section of the museum is equally fascinating, with a collection comprising more than 221 exhibits and about 1,800 specimens stored in the repositories. The minerals on display come from various depository locations around the world and represent all systematic classes. Thanks to a deliberately essential layout, visitors can appreciate the intrinsic beauty of the crystals, some of which have been donated by important collectors.
Botanical Section: A Tribute to Flora
The Botanical Section, opened more recently, offers an in-depth look at the world of plants. One of the main attractions is the rich mycological collection, where a wide variety of fungal species can be observed. Among them, visitors can recognise common mushrooms such as Boletus edulis, known as porcino, and the famous Amanita muscaria, famous for its vivid red colour with white spots. Alongside these, there are rarer and more unusual species such as Clathrus ruber, a true curiosity for mycology enthusiasts.
The Giuseppe Orlandi Museum of Natural Sciences in Voghera is a place that deserves to be discovered and appreciated. Its collections, the result of years of passion and dedication, offer visitors a unique opportunity to explore the beauty and diversity of the natural world. Whether you are a natural science enthusiast, a student in search of knowledge or simply curious, the museum will welcome you with its wonders, offering an unforgettable journey through nature.
