Likely stories from the Museo di Storia Naturale

A flock of mountain sheep are standing around loudly going "baa baa" to each other and discussing life as usual in the museum when suddenly they hear a "Chirp!"

They look around and see only sheep. They carry on behaving as before.

"Chirp Chirp!"

One sheep can hear it all too clearly next to him. He shuffles away a little from his friend, a worried look on his face and then asks, "George, why are you chirping? You're a sheep. Sheep go 'baa!'"

His friend replies gladly, "I know. I thought I’d learn a foreign language!"

This could be the case for the many animals that reside at Milan’s Museo di Storia Naturale, the Natural History Museum. Animals from all over the world are displayed in real-life dioramas, and one can’t help imagining the conversations between alligators, elephants, tigers, and many more! At night, when the animals come to life (who knows, they might!), they can share stories from their experiences of different times in history. The Natural History Museum is in fact Milan’s oldest municipal museum, dating back to 1838 when it acquired the first donations, initiating a tradition of philanthropic excellence. When the city was bombed during World War II, a large part of the collections was destroyed. It reopened only in 1952. Today, it is located in the Public gardens, right between the Palestro and Porta Venezia metro stops on the red line. It is the most important and largest natural history museum in Italy.

Its dioramas are favorites for young and old alike. The animals showcased tell stories that can be understood by anyone. Llamas playfully scamper along in Peru, a moose munches on grass in Canada, and all the while, an alligator waits patiently in the swamps of Louisiana. They have become famous for the breathtaking realism of the painted natural scenes, and they are an entertaining learning experience.

After traveling around the world in half an hour from one diorama to the next, the rest of the museum presents herbariums, and mineral and fossil specimens. Amongst displays of giant beetles, skeletons, and enormous replicas of dinosaurs, there are some fossils that have attained worldwide fame for their rarity and importance to understanding our earth’s history. Describing the clarity of the presentations would give it no justice. There is no other way to experience the feeling of being a part of something so much larger than one’s own self than to be face to face with it. Visitors and scholars alike can be inches from the displays and are able to touch some of the most important discoveries this world has to offer. The ground floor of the museum houses mineral and entomology sections as well as the library (which is also important, with over 30,000 books in most European languages. Some displays are specifically designed for scholars and specialists, while others are tailored for children and families. 

On the top floor, there is a coffee shop named Jardin d’histoire, enclosed in glass. Like a protective bubble, it is a wonderful way to end the tour of the museum, savouring a coffee, panino, or cocktail, and enjoying amazing views over Milan, right across to the Cathedral. It’s such a fun place that you can imagine some mischievous bugs leaving their display cabinets at night and turning it into a private disco... the butterflies are always welcome, but no one invites the centipedes, because they step on everyone’s feet! In warmer weather, the canopy can be removed and instantly the building is transformed into a luxurious rooftop terrace. For information on the restaurant, call 02.76012683.

Children are considered as very important visitors by the museum. They are made to feel specially welcome, and there are many programs that cater to young explorers. For example, the café can be used to host birthday parties that last up to one and a half hours. At the cost of 11 euro per child, the package includes invitations, party favors, and a host supplied by the museum who can provide a specialized visit. School classes are likewise more than welcome within the building, and groups of happy school children are a common sight, engaged on summer programs and classroom field trips. The museum has a long experience of hosting English-speaking guests.

The museum is set in the Porta Venezia Public Gardens, where every day you can see dogs barking, children playing, and couples walking hand in hand. This rare island of green in the city is just minutes from the bustling streets, but it miraculously filters out the sound of cars. In its place is the serene setting of water and the calming atmosphere of nature going about its business. Mossy rocks are complemented by ivy, wood bridges, and a variety of water fowl that choose to take home within the sanctuary. There is also a butterfly garden where nature, always a beautiful thing, can be found in its finest form: living.

Katherine Bonnin