Fossils museum of Monte San Giorgio

The Monte San Giorgio Fossil Museum is a science museum in Meride that displays marine fossils, plant remains, and animal bones from prehistoric times. The collection spans four floors in a modern building and presents the remains of a tropical sea that covered the region millions of years ago.

The fossils date back to about 245 to 180 million years ago, when a tropical sea with rich marine life covered the area. The mountain was later lifted by geological processes and preserved the remains of this ancient underwater world in its layers.

The museum is named after Monte San Giorgio, a location of great scientific importance to the region. Visitors can see how the fossils come from different layers of the mountain and understand the role these discoveries play in local identity.

The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday and offers easy access for visitors with mobility needs. Audio guides are available to explore the exhibition independently and learn more about individual finds.

In the entrance area stands a more than two meter tall reconstruction of the Ticinosuchus, a prehistoric reptile found in the mountains. This reconstruction gives visitors an immediate sense of the size and appearance of the creatures that once inhabited this region.

Location: Mendrisio

Official opening: October 13, 2012

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Operator: Fondazione del Monte San Giorgio

Part of: list of cultural properties in Mendrisio

Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 09:00-17:00

Phone: +41916400080

Email: info@montesangiorgio.org

Website: https://museodeifossili.ch

GPS coordinates: 45.89055,8.95290

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:01