Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Morbegno

The Morbegno Natural History Museum is the guardian of the biodiversity and geological memory of the Central Alps. Born in 1974 thanks to the donation of 500 minerals by local enthusiast Giacomo Perego, the museum has been housed since 1983 in the atmospheric Gualteroni Palace, an 18th-century building in the heart of the historic centre. Today it is the largest science museum in the province of Sondrio, officially recognised by the Lombardy Region and an integral part of the Valtellina Museum System.

In addition to exhibiting its most significant exhibits, the museum plays an important research role, storing in its repositories extensive collections available to scholars: from rocks to fossilsup to herbes, insects, amphibians, birds and mammals.

The Exhibition Route

The visit is on two levels, offering a complete journey through the nature of the area:

• Earth Science Section (Ground Floor): Three rooms are dedicated to the geology and morphology of the province of Sondrio. Among rare local minerals and rocks, the fossil of Cassinisia orobica (a prehistoric plant endemic to Valtellina), which inspired the museum's own logo.
• Wildlife Section (Ground Floor and First Floor): The tour begins on the ground floor with the room dedicated to fish, amphibians and reptiles, and then up to the first floor among the collection of insects and the windows of the birds. The real strength are the large immersive dioramas reconstructing natural habitats, complemented by the spectacular showcases dedicated to the wolf, to the’bear and ungulates.

Activities and Services

The museum is not just a place of preservation, but a living, dynamic cultural centre that organises:

• Education and Schools: Guided tours, educational workshops, excursions and tailor-made school projects.
• Families and Territory: Animation events, campuses and themed birthday parties.
• Scientific Disclosure: Temporary exhibitions, courses, specialised seminars and conferences open to the public.