Museum of Natural History La Specola: Skip The Line

Ever seen a stuffed walrus? How about one from the 18th century? See it for yourself, plus a mind-boggling collection of 3.5 million animals at Florence's La Specola Natural History Museum. Be wowed by sparkling minerals and gemstones, pay tribute to legendary astrologist Galileo, and even peek inside a hippo. It's weird, it's wacky, it's science!
In the Zoological Collection, study more than 5,000 animals, perfectly preserved, dissected and displayed for your viewing pleasure. It might be a little creepy if it wasn't all in the name of science - when was the last time you looked inside a hippo?
In the new Mineraliter exhibition, 'ooh' and 'aah' at the University's glittering collection of rare minerals, sourced globally, as well as from Italy. Just don't call them rocks!
Finally, you can celebrate the life and work of the revolutionary Florentine scientist in the magnificent Tribune of Galileo – a glass-domed shrine with stunning frescoes depicting Italy's invaluable scientific achievements.