In the picturesque village of Masullas, housed within the ancient 17th-century Capuchin monastery, stands the Monte Arci ‘Stefano Incani’ GeoMuseum, one of Sardinia’s most important geological museums. This modern scientific centre takes visitors on a fascinating journey through millions of years of Earth’s history, recounting the geological evolution of Monte Arci and the entire island.

The museum houses a rich collection of minerals, rocks, fossils and palaeontological finds that bear witness to the region’s ancient volcanic past. The exhibition is the result of the invaluable work of collection and study carried out by Cavaliere Stefano Vincenzo Incani, to whom the museum is dedicated; throughout his life, he amassed one of the most important mineralogical collections in Sardinia.

The exhibition unfolds across five themed rooms which illustrate, using scientific methods and multimedia tools, the geological formation of Sardinia. Amidst minerals of rare beauty, volcanic rocks, perfectly preserved fossils and palaeoenvironmental reconstructions, visitors can gain an understanding of how today’s landscape is the result of natural phenomena that began millions of years ago.

Among the most spectacular exhibits is the Hall of Volcanism, where films, three-dimensional reconstructions and striking visual effects recreate the landscape of the Miocene epoch, between 18 and 20 million years ago, when a tropical sea covered this part of Sardinia and the Monte Arci volcano profoundly shaped the landscape. The centrepiece of the hall is an extraordinary slab measuring approximately six square metres, composed of fossilised fish – an exceptional find that represents one of the island’s most important palaeontological artefacts.

Also of particular interest is the hall dedicated to fluorescent minerals, where special lighting systems highlight the spectacular colours and characteristics of numerous specimens, offering an engaging experience for both geology enthusiasts and families.

In addition to the permanent exhibition, the GeoMuseo features a conference room and a bookshop, and organises educational activities, workshops and initiatives dedicated to popularising science and promoting the natural heritage of Monte Arci.

A visit to the Monte Arci GeoMuseum takes you on a journey through Sardinia’s most ancient history, amongst volcanoes, fossils, minerals and landscapes that have vanished, as you discover one of the island’s most original and fascinating science museums.

Ph. Visit Masullas