Turin Museum of Natural History

The Turin Museum of Natural History is housed in a 17th-century building that once served as the San Giovanni Battista Hospital. The rooms contain extensive collections covering zoology, entomology, botany, minerals, rocks, and fossils from different time periods.

The institution was established in 1978, bringing together extensive collections from the University of Turin including zoological specimens and comparative anatomy materials. This founding allowed scientific collections that were scattered across different locations to be unified in one central place.

The collections cover zoology, entomology, botany, minerals, geology, and paleontology, reflecting the natural diversity of Italy. These sections help visitors understand the different forms of life and earth layers found across the region.

The museum is located in central Turin and is accessible from Monday to Sunday, closed only on Tuesdays. Visitors should plan enough time to explore the different departments at a relaxed pace and examine the exhibits.

The museum displays an impressive seven-meter mastodon model assembled from fossils discovered in the Villafranca d'Asti area. This model vividly illustrates what animals inhabited Piedmont during prehistoric times.

Location: Turin

Inception: 1978

Official opening: 1978

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Phone: +390114326316

Email: museo.mrsn@regione.piemonte.it

Website: http://regione.piemonte.it/museoscienzenaturali

GPS coordinates: 45.06463,7.68869

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:03