The museum holds one of the most important collections of insects in Italy, numbering in the millions of specimens.
Founder Giacomo Doria was an intrepid explorer whose expeditions to Borneo and the Middle East provided the foundation for the original collection.
The building features original wood and glass cabinetry that dates back to the late 19th century.
The museum serves as a critical repository for type specimens, which are the official reference samples used to define new animal species.
It maintains a specialized library dedicated to natural sciences, containing historical texts and journals.
The Museum of Natural History Giacomo Doria is Genoa's oldest scientific museum, founded in 1867 by the explorer Giacomo Doria. It houses an extensive collection of over 4.5 million specimens, focusing primarily on zoology, paleontology, and mineralogy. The museum is renowned for its significant historical taxidermy collection, including specimens gathered during 19th-century scientific expeditions. The display cases retain a late 19th-century aesthetic, providing a glimpse into historical exhibition techniques. Paleontology collections feature significant fossil records found within the Liguria region. Mineralogy exhibits showcase rare crystals and geologic samples from across the globe. The museum remains a key research center, maintaining extensive archives for taxonomical study.
The main hall, which captures the symmetry and classic aesthetic of the original 19th-century display cases.
Check the museum's official website before visiting, as they frequently host temporary scientific exhibits that change seasonally.
The museum is popular with local schools; visit on weekday afternoons to avoid large groups of students.
Take time to examine the labels, as many contain original handwritten notes from the 19th-century curators.
Do not attempt to touch the specimens, as many are fragile, historical artifacts that are not enclosed in modern protective glass.
Closed on Mondays.
Quiet behavior is expected as it is a research institution; photography is permitted for personal use but without flash.
