Museo dei Fossili di Bolca, Natural history museum in Vestenanova, Italy.
The Museo dei Fossili di Bolca is a natural history museum in Vestenanova that presents an extensive collection of marine fossils from volcanic rock layers. The exhibits show remarkably preserved fish, sharks, and other sea creatures from when this region lay beneath the ocean.
The museum's collection grew from systematic excavations carried out by a family that extracted fossils from local quarries across multiple generations. This tradition of mineral extraction shaped the area for centuries and reflects the long connection between the site and its underground treasures.
The museum displays fossils from an ancient sea that once covered this area. For the local community, this place holds special significance by connecting their region to a distant geological past.
The site is located in a valley and is easily reached by car, with parking available near the entrance for visitors. It is helpful to check opening hours in advance, especially if you plan to visit the active extraction areas, as these are only accessible during certain months.
Visitors can enter the active quarries with knowledgeable guides and watch how fossils are extracted directly from the rock layers. This hands-on experience in the extraction areas offers a rare glimpse into the work that defines this field.
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