• Art & Culture

Fossils Civic Museum

Did you know that the sea touched the Province of Varese about 242 million years ago?

The town of Besano (VA) is the basis of the name for a sea reptile that lived during this period: the Besanosaurus. It is one of the most representative fossils of the famous Besano - Monte San Giorgio reservoir.

The fossil that was found was practically whole and in perfect shape. It was 5,8 meters long and weighted around 500 kilograms. Its skull was quite small compared to the rest of the body and had a long, thin beak. Its teeth were small, cone-shaped with a slightly rounded tip.

Just like every other ichthyosaurs, its limbs evolved into paddle-like shapes. Both front and rear limbs featured only four fingers with an increasing number of phalanges. It seems that its long, thin body along with its tail and did not feature a dorsal fin.

The Besanosaurus was discovered during the spring of 1993 at the excavation site of  "Sasso Caldo" in Besano by the volunteers of the Besano paleontology group. The fossil was completely covered by rocks and initially could be seen only with X-Rays.145 radiographs were necessary to fully examinate the contents of the 38 rock slates that enclosed the skeleton.

The specimen was put on display at Milan's Natural History Civic Museum after 16,500 hours of preparations. Another cast can be found at the Besano Fossils Civic Museum.


Other links

Monte San Giorgio
Take me here: Fossils Civic Museum

On the same topic

Castles in Valtellina

A dive into the past between castles and towers in Valtellina
  • Art & Culture
A journey into the past among castles in Valtellina

Bergamo Brescia: Italian capital of culture 2023

Discover the schedule of events, new museums, projects and exhibitions that promise to take you off the beaten track.
  • Art & Culture
Bergamo Brescia: Italian capital of culture 2023 - Teatro Grande Brescia - inLombardia

The Longobard heritage of Pavia

A journey of discovery to uncover the ancient civilisation of the Longobards through the history of the city of Pavia.
  • Art & Culture
The Longobard heritage of Pavia

OPEN WINDOWS

A new project by the Association Tapirulan
  • Art & Culture
OPEN WINDOWS

A Day in Pavia

When organizing your trip to Lombardy do not forget to visit Pavia
  • Art & Culture
A Day in Pavia

Discovering the treasures of Mantua

  • Art & Culture
Discovering the treasures of Mantua

6 Interactive museums for children

Explore Lombardy with your children! Experiential and interactive museums to stimulate curiosity and creativity.
  • Art & Culture
6 Interactive museums for children

10 good reasons visit Pavia

  • Art & Culture
10 good reasons visit Pavia

Seven castles in Lombardy

From Lake Garda to Valtellina by way of Milan. Among crenellated walls, towers and porticoed loggias
  • Art & Culture
Castello Sforzesco a Milano

Theaters Brescia

Brescia will surprise you with the vitality of its theaters, where are staged prose, ballets and concerts
  • Art & Culture
Theaters Brescia, culture in Lombardy

Autumn trip to villas and castles

An autumn adventure of history & beauty: explore the autumn charm of Lombardy's villas and castles.
  • Art & Culture
Autumn trip to villas and castles

Bergamo Photo Gallery

An area to be discovered and visited
  • Art & Culture
Discovering Bergamo from A to Z

A visit to the Basilica of the XII Apostles

Tour di Lodi in bicicletta tra natura e cultura: la Basilica di San Bassiano
  • Art & Culture
Una visita alla Basilica dei XII Apostoli - San Bassiano

A day at the National Museum Leonardo da Vinci

One of the largest science and technology museums in Europe
  • Art & Culture
Museo della Scienza

Top 10 must see works of art in lombardy

  • Art & Culture
Top 10 must see works of art in lombardy

San Pietro a Gemonio

This church is one of the points that remain more etched in the memory of the travelers who travel the Varese-Laveno
  • Art & Culture
San Pietro a Gemonio and the Salvini Museum in Cocquio Trevisago

Mantua, Festival City

Mantua is a living city 365 days a year. Thanks to international festivals. Starting from the prestigious Festivaletteratura
  • Art & Culture
Mantua, Festival City

12 masterpieces in Lombardy

Among paintings, Monasteries, Basilicas: a treasure to be discovered in Lombardy
  • Art & Culture
Hunting for 12 masterpieces in Lombardy

Theaters Mantua

Sumptuous rooms and golden stages are the setting for the theatrical seasons of Mantua
  • Art & Culture
Theaters Mantua, experiences in Lombardy

Brescia in a weekend

From the Roman Brixia to the Opera Festival. Discover Brescia in 48 hours. A journey through time, between culture, passion and nightlife
  • Art & Culture
Brescia in a weekend