Geological Museum of the Dolomites, Natural history museum in Predazzo, Italy.
The Geological Museum of the Dolomites in Predazzo holds over 12,000 geological specimens, including Italy's largest collection of Middle-Triassic invertebrate fossils. The museum also functions as a research center with a scientific library containing around 4,000 volumes.
The museum was established in 1899 and quickly became a hub for international geologists studying competing theories of rock formation. The Dolomite region helped them develop new insights into mountain-building processes.
Since the 2015 refurbishment, the entrance hall reconstructs the salon of the historic hotel "Nave d'Oro", where from the late 19th century geologists, naturalists and explorers met, among them Alexander von Humboldt, Charles Lyell, Roderick Murchison and Amelia Edwards. The museum's name comes from the Dolomites, the mountain group it documents.
The museum is easily accessible, and visitors can also explore a geological trail in the surrounding area that showcases different rock formations and features. It makes sense to plan time for both activities, as they complement each other well.
At the entrance, the 2015 refurbishment rebuilt the hall of the Nave d'Oro hotel, where from the late 19th century geologists such as Alexander von Humboldt, Charles Lyell, Roderick Murchison and Amelia Edwards met. The museum also runs the Dos Capèl geological path, a 9.7 km loop from Pampeago at 1,860 m with 32 information panels.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,671 contributors worldwide.
