Natural History Museum of Pisa

The Natural History Museum of the University of Pisa has its origins in the Gallery of the Botanical Garden, established in 1591 by Ferdinand I de’ Medici. However, the different collections that make up the museum began being gathered by Luca Ghini prior to the establishment of the gallery (1544-1554). In the early years, the museum was concentrated in a single location, however, it was divided into independent units specializing in various research fields in the natural sciences. In 1776, Gian Lorenzo Tilli was in charge of all disciplines and research. However, in 1782, Giorgio Santi became responsible for geology, mineralogy and zoology, and Gaetano Salvi for botany. In 1842, Paolo Savi taught zoology and comparative anatomy and Leopoldo Pilla taught geology and mineralogy.

In 1874, Giuseppe Meneghini succeeded Pilla in the teaching of geology, and Antonio D’Achiardi took on the chair of mineralogy. From 1823 to 1887, the museum and the adjoining research laboratories went through a period of rapid expansion. This led to the existing collection, comprised of over two hundred thousand scientific specimens from four centuries of naturalistic research in Pisa. In their present location, the rooms and galleries of the zoological, mineralogical and paleontological sectors offer plenty of historical and architectural references. Also part of the museum is a 5-hectare plot of land surrounding the buildings, characterized by typical Tuscan crops and a canalization and storage system for spring and rainwater.