Museum of Natural Science in Turin
The House of Savoy, which ruled in Italy for ten centuries, including during the era of a unified Italy, amassed a vast array of collections spanning the arts and sciences. Among these is a unique collection of taxidermy specimens, animals and birds, housed at the Museum of Natural Science in Turin.
The collection began to take shape 200 years ago. Many scientists from Piedmont traveled to distant lands, often at great personal risk, to bring back extraordinary specimens.
The collection is organized by geographical region. Here, you can encounter birds of paradise, learn how penguins incubate and raise their chicks, discover the differences between a leopard and a cheetah or find out how hyenas hunt for food.
You might be surprised to learn that a polar bear actually has black skin; it only appears white because the colorless hairs covering its body reflect light.
The museum’s collection also includes remarkable crystalline rock formations, as well as a diverse array of butterflies and beetles.
You can see the world’s largest beetle, which weighs as much as an apple, and discover how a snake is capable of swallowing objects far larger than itself. Through a virtual interface you can even "interact" with renowned scientists from the past and ask them questions in any language.
The museum offers a fascinating experience for both children and adults. Contact your guide, Liudmila, and explore this world, a world that exists right alongside us, yet one that we are often unaware of.
