Behind the Story: Naturalists and Collections at the Civic Museum of

Overview

The Civic Museum of Zoology in Rome presents a lecture series focused on historic figures in natural history and the development of the museum's scientific collections. The events are aimed at students, researchers, and the general public interested in the stories behind the specimens and the museum's research role.

Practical information

When: from 26 March to 14 May 2026, every Thursday from 17:00 to 18:30.

Where: Sala Scheletri, Civic Museum of Zoology, Via Ulisse Aldrovandi 18, Rome (Pinciano area).

Admission: free until seats are filled.

Program

• Thursday 26 March, 17:00 – "Saverio Patrizi: from explorer to biospeleologist", speaker Leonardo Latella (Curator, Natural History Museum of Verona).
• Thursday 2 April, 17:00 – "A physicist entomologist: Franco Rasetti", speaker Roberto Casalini (Curator, Civic Museum of Zoology, Rome).
• Thursday 16 April, 17:00 – "Francesco Chigi della Rovere: ornithologist and conservation pioneer", speaker Spartaco Gippoliti (Italian Society for the History of Fauna).
• Thursday 23 April, 17:00 – "Museum skeletons: notes on the osteological collection", speaker Fabio Pesci (Osteology Curator, Civic Museum of Zoology, Rome).
• Thursday 7 May, 17:00 – "History of the malacology collection", speaker Massimo Appolloni (Malacology Curator, Civic Museum of Zoology, Rome).
• Thursday 14 May, 17:00 – "Paolo Luigioni: curator and pioneer of Roman entomology", speaker Alberto Zilli (formerly Civic Museum of Zoology, Rome).

Why attend

The Civic Museum of Zoology preserves extensive scientific collections that support research, education, and biodiversity conservation. This series sheds light on the people and scientific practices that shaped the collections and highlights the museum's continuing role in public engagement and study.

Useful notes

• Arrive a few minutes early as seating is limited.
• Check the museum's official channels or municipal notices for any last-minute changes.