Museo di Storia Naturale del Mediterraneo (Museum of Natural History of the Mediterranean), Livorno

The Museum of Natural History of the Mediterranean in Livorno is situated in the historic Henderson villa, a short distance from the Giovanni Fattori Civic Museum. The museum’s origins trace back to 1929, with a collection from the Vespucci Technical Institute. After World War II, the museum was reopened at the Diacinto Cestoni municipal aquarium before moving to Villa Henderson in 1980.

Villa Henderson itself dates to 1762, passing through several prominent families before becoming the property of George Henderson in 1917. After his death, the villa and its expansive park were transferred to Livorno’s provincial administration. The English-style garden, with its diverse tree species, a hexagonal fountain, and a small stone cave, is still largely intact.

The museum features various exhibition spaces. Key areas include the Hall of Man, the Hall of Geopaleontology, the Hall of Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates, and the Flight in Nature exhibit. Opened in 2009, the latter highlights evolutionary strategies from prehistory to modern times. The complex also includes a planetarium, an auditorium, and a historical-scientific library with around 5,000 volumes.

Within the historic garden lies the Invertebrate Room, showcasing marine and terrestrial invertebrates, and the Sea Room, which includes skeletons of marine cetaceans, notably a fin whale found in Piombino. A pavilion resembling a whale was built to house the cetacean displays.

The museum also hosts the Environmental Education Center, promoting environmental awareness through diverse scientific fields. A Germplasm Conservation Laboratory focuses on preserving Mediterranean plant species, especially those at risk of extinction. A botanical garden and weather station round out the museum’s offerings, while a temporary exhibition hall provides space for rotating scientific and cultural exhibitions.