Meltina in the Sarentino Alps, situated between Merano and Bolzano, houses a small but fascinating museum. Right on the town hall square, you'll find a permanent exhibition dedicated to Earth's history, showcasing fossils and minerals discovered around the village at 1,140 metres above sea level and in the quarry on the Giogo di Meltina ridge at over 1,700 metres.

Following several months of renovation, the fossil exhibition reopened in spring 2023. Eleven display cases narrate the geological story of the Monzoccolo plateau, also called Tschögglberg, guiding you through millions of years of Earth's history. You'll discover intriguing facts about the geological processes of that time.

Display panels present the most beautiful minerals, fossils, and other geological finds. A highlight of the exhibition are the fossilised tree and plant remains, approximately 260 million years old, dating back to the Late Permian period. Embark on a journey back in time to a world where, in the place of today's mountains, stretched an ocean: the ancient Tethys Ocean.

Volcanoes erupted in this era, and long-extinct animals roamed the landscape. The fossil exhibition extends over two levels, connected by a staircase. How to get there: You'll find the Fossilia Meltina (Fossilia Mölten) directly on the town hall square, with parking available above. Meltina is also easily accessible by bus route 204.