punto di interesse

The Fossil Forest of Dunarobba

Parco

+39 0744940348

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: 10:00 am- 1:00 pm

Wednesday: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Thursday: 10:00 am – 1:.00 pm

Friday: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Saturday: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm  and  2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Sunday: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm   and  2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

point of interest

The Fossil Forest of Dunarobba

Parco

+39 0744940348

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: 10:00 am- 1:00 pm

Wednesday: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Thursday: 10:00 am – 1:.00 pm

Friday: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Saturday: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm  and  2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Sunday: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm   and  2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

21-foresta-fossile-dunarobba-avigliano-umbro

The Fossil Forest of Dunarobba is a paleontological rare pearl located in the territory of the hamlet of Dunarobba a few kilometres from Avigliano Umbro.

The history of the Fossil Forest begins millions of years ago

We are within the geological period of the Pliocene, between three and two million years ago, the sea lapped the current territory of Umbria up to Orvieto, and the lands of Avigliano were in a semi-marshy condition: in this territory grew gigantic conifers that  have been submerged by what was called Lake Tiberino.

The sleep of the giants was very long. In fact only at the end of the 70s, inside a clay quarry intended for the manufacture of bricks in Casaccia, those trunks were discovered and a few years later, studies carried on by paleontologists revealed the fact that it was real ancient wood mummified (and not petrified) millions of years.

Conifers similar to today’s American redwoods

It is estimated that the about fifty trunks that rose above thirty meters with diameters from one to four meters, were part of a coniferous forest of the genus Taxodion: a redwood now extinct but very similar to that sempervirens that reaches even one hundred meters in height and lives in some territories of California.

21-foresta-fossile-dunarobba-avigliano-umbro

The Fossil Forest of Dunarobba is a paleontological rare pearl located in the territory of the hamlet of Dunarobba a few kilometres from Avigliano Umbro.

The history of the Fossil Forest begins millions of years ago

We are within the geological period of the Pliocene, between three and two million years ago, the sea lapped the current territory of Umbria up to Orvieto, and the lands of Avigliano were in a semi-marshy condition: in this territory grew gigantic conifers that  have been submerged by what was called Lake Tiberino.

The sleep of the giants was very long. In fact only at the end of the 70s, inside a clay quarry intended for the manufacture of bricks in Casaccia, those trunks were discovered and a few years later, studies carried on by paleontologists revealed the fact that it was real ancient wood mummified (and not petrified) millions of years.

Conifers similar to today’s American redwoods

It is estimated that the about fifty trunks that rose above thirty meters with diameters from one to four meters, were part of a coniferous forest of the genus Taxodion: a redwood now extinct but very similar to that sempervirens that reaches even one hundred meters in height and lives in some territories of California.

21-foresta-fossile-dunarobba-panoramica-avigliano-umbro

The Center for Plant Paleontology: the Arboretum and the museum

Near the Fossil Forest, in 1999 was built the Plant Paleontology Center, a splendid complex that houses:

  • l’Arboretum consisting of trees and plants that reconstruct a habitat quite similar to the ancient one;
  • the Museum of Plant Paleontology which, in addition to the finds of the forest, also houses some of those of the Grotta Bella;
  • a small Museum of the Mine and kiln of Dunarobba;
  • the ticket office with bookshop, auditorium that offers the possibility to organize activities and workshops for schools;
  • an emporium with local products;
  • the Piero Gauli Center, where you can admire the works of the painter and set designer of the artistic movement of Corrente.

The Open Museum of the Fossil Forest: a territory to explore and discover

The MOFF’art (The Open Museum of the Fossil Forest), created by Cooperativa Surgente which manages the forest, is the mixture of three paths developed in 50 km within the territory around the Fossil Forest:

  • Scientific route: the Fossil Forest, the man and his environment – with a visit to the Arboretum, the Museum of Plant Paleontology, the Fossil Forest, the Piero Gauli Center and the Museum of Mine and Furnace.
  • Artistic itinerary: from the sacred theater to the profane theater – with a visit to the frescoes of the Church of the Holy Trinity, the Madonna delle Grazie, Palazzo VIci, the murals of the village and the Municipal Theater;
  • Nature trail: from the Grotta Bella to the path of life – with a visit to the Grotta Bella, the village of Santa Restituta, the Cemetery and Church of San Michele and the village of Toscolano.

Experiences  you can enjoy in a sort of open-air museum,  and in a widespread hotel that also offers  you the opportunity to sleep in it.

The Center for Plant Paleontology: the Arboretum and the museum

21-foresta-fossile-dunarobba-panoramica-avigliano-umbro

Near the Fossil Forest, in 1999 was built the Plant Paleontology Center, a splendid complex that houses:

  • l’Arboretum consisting of trees and plants that reconstruct a habitat quite similar to the ancient one;
  • the Museum of Plant Paleontology which, in addition to the finds of the forest, also houses some of those of the Grotta Bella;
  • a small Museum of the Mine and kiln of Dunarobba;
  • the ticket office with bookshop, auditorium that offers the possibility to organize activities and workshops for schools;
  • an emporium with local products;
  • the Piero Gauli Center, where you can admire the works of the painter and set designer of the artistic movement of Corrente.

The Open Museum of the Fossil Forest: a territory to explore and discover

The MOFF’art (The Open Museum of the Fossil Forest), created by Cooperativa Surgente which manages the forest, is the mixture of three paths developed in 50 km within the territory around the Fossil Forest:

  • Scientific route: the Fossil Forest, the man and his environment – with a visit to the Arboretum, the Museum of Plant Paleontology, the Fossil Forest, the Piero Gauli Center and the Museum of Mine and Furnace.
  • Artistic itinerary: from the sacred theater to the profane theater – with a visit to the frescoes of the Church of the Holy Trinity, the Madonna delle Grazie, Palazzo VIci, the murals of the village and the Municipal Theater;
  • Nature trail: from the Grotta Bella to the path of life – with a visit to the Grotta Bella, the village of Santa Restituta, the Cemetery and Church of San Michele and the village of Toscolano.

Experiences  you can enjoy in a sort of open-air museum,  and in a widespread hotel that also offers  you the opportunity to sleep in it.





Discovering the territory of Avigliano

Discover nearby points of interest:

Reach the Castle of Sismano

Reach the High Fortress

Reach Dunarobba

Or:

Walk around Avigliano

[Avigliano Umbro and its territory –  link a itinerario]

discover all the points of interest of the village

The Fossil Forest of Dunarobba
, 05020, Avigliano Umbro