Civic Museum of Fossils of Besano

The Civic Museum of Fossils is a natural history museum in Besano that specializes in remains from ancient sea creatures. The exhibition displays skeletal remains of marine reptiles, invertebrates, and fossilized plants across its rooms, arranged chronologically to show life from the region's underwater past.

This institution was established in 1981 to make valuable local fossils available to the public and researchers. It underwent major renovation work and reopened in 2000 with expanded rooms and improved research facilities.

The museum takes its name from Besano, the location where paleontologists have long sought valuable fossils from the area's ancient past. Collections here tell the story of a time when this region lay beneath a tropical sea inhabited by large marine reptiles.

The museum is fully accessible with ramp access and level pathways, allowing all visitors to navigate the exhibition spaces comfortably. The rooms are clearly labeled to help you find your way through the collection.

The museum houses a full-scale replica of a prehistoric sea reptile discovered nearby in 1993, which remains one of the most significant marine finds from the Italian region. This specimen helps visitors understand the enormous creatures that once inhabited these waters.

Location: Besano

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Phone: +390332919200

Email: museo@comune.besano.va.it

Website: https://museodibesano.it

GPS coordinates: 45.88973,8.88975

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:00