Museo dei Fossili di Bolca

The findings reflect a marine-coastal habitat and more specifically a lagoon type. Among the various fossils we can enumerate crustaceans, reptiles, some bird feathers, various species of insects, but, in particular, over 150 species of fish, including sharks and even, as evidence of the particular fossilization process that took place here, jellyfish. The plant species found, over 270, include tropical plants, algae, palms and seagrasses. The fossils were not only found in the Pesciara mine quarry, but in various sites, all with their own geological history, in some cases known and mined for several centuries (it is no coincidence that the Bolca fossils are present in the main museums of the world and in rich private collections).

The visit to the museum is a journey through time and space, to discover a particular moment of our planet, its nature and its evolution. The main protagonists of this museum are fish: live fish swimming in two aquariums and fossil fish. The Fossil Museum, which extends over an area of ​​approximately 700 m2, with three large exhibition spaces arranged on two floors, was created with modern museographic criteria. The museum tour can be carried out on several levels. The simple viewing of the exhibits on display can be aided by the reading of the texts, locally enriched with color images, which represent the current fauna. It is also possible to complete the route by watching a film and large panels that illustrate some reconstructions of the ancient environment of Bolca, 50 million years ago.

The two large marine aquariums with a Mediterranean and tropical environment on the ground floor allow comparisons between current fauna with those that lived 50 million years ago. On the upper floor, however, the great variety of fauna and flora coming from Pesciara and Monte Postale is highlighted. Fish, lobsters, shrimps, crabs, jellyfish, bird feathers, insects, worms, land plants, etc., are divided into environments and accompanied by numerous color images.

In July 2014 the new layout of the upper room was completed. Through spectacular photographic enlargements, particular aspects of the fossilization of the finds displayed nearby are highlighted. Finally, splendid specimens extracted in recent excavation campaigns can be admired by the public.