The Natural Science Museum of Valencia stands in the city’s park area. It features a valuable paleontological collection of fossils, including unique Pleistocene finds by Rodrigo Botet from South America. At the end of the 19th century, collectors gathered the first specimens for the Museum of Valencia, and they have continuously added interesting specimens ever since.
History of the Natural Science Museum of Valencia
Since the 14th century, the area of Valencia (Spain) near the Turia River has been home to gardens. They grew trees and flowers here to decorate the royal palace grounds. People in the old days called this nursery-estate Viveros. Now it is a public park with architectural structures and a wide variety of plants. It has a large area, beautiful alleys, and paths convenient for walking.
The Natural Science Museum of Valencia has a very valuable paleontological collection. The famous Spanish scientist Jose Rodrigo Botet (1842–1915) began this collection. He collected it in Argentina while working on engineering projects there. Part of his unique collection of Pleistocene animals was purchased from his friend, Professor Enrique De Carles. The best Pleistocene fossil finds from South America arrived in Valencia on the ship “Mateo Bruzzo” back in 1889. This allowed the foundation of the Paleontological Municipal Museum, which was then located in the now defunct San Gregorio Monastery.
Until 1989, the Museum of Valencia was located in the historic Almudín building. Over time, the Museum of Natural Sciences moved to the old restaurant building in Jardines del Real. In this current building, constructed in the late 1950s by architect Luis Gay Ramos, the museum was established in 1999. It is located in the very center of the City of Arts and Sciences, a cultural center in Valencia, which is 2 km long. It offers visitors temporary and permanent exhibitions.
The hall displaying the entire collection also features large skeletons of a saber-toothed tiger and a series of giant armadillos.
The Inhabitants of the Ancient Seas
The Natural Science Museum of Valencia offers an imaginary journey through different eras to discover the course of evolution and the development of landscapes and ecosystems throughout history. In addition to the Rodrigo Botet collection, the museum features other important paleontological specimens and fossils from private donations, such as the skeletons of extinct animals of various species.
Dinosaurs and Other Extinct Reptiles in the Museum of Valencia
The Natural Science Museum of Valencia also features dinosaur bone finds from Valencia.
Ground Sloths
The fact that Charles Darwin mentioned specimens from this collection in his famous work “On the Origin of Species” made the Natural Science Museum of Valencia one of the most prestigious European museums of its time.
Giant Armadillos
Mammals from South America and Valencia
In the museum, we can find the skull of a sirenian aged 5 million years, found in Pilar de la Horadada (Alicante province), belonging to the genus Metaxitherium, from the dugong group.
Exploring More at the Natural Science Museum of Valencia
Additionally, there is a display area for Valencian ecosystems. The museum shows a series of documentaries and other audiovisual media that provide knowledge about Mediterranean and general natural ecosystems.
The Natural Science Museum of Valencia boasts an history and a unique paleontological collection based on the contributions of the famous scientist José Rodrigo Botet. Visitors can admire the impressive skeletons of giant sloths and armadillos, as well as other fascinating exhibits. This museum offers a fascinating journey through different eras of the past, showing the evolution of landscapes and ecosystems.