Museo Ornitologico "Ferrante Foschi" - Forlì

Open to the public since 1984, the museum is housed on the ground floor of the Renaissance-era Palazzo Numai and features an ornithological collection with over 3,000 specimens of Italian birds. Begun by Ferrante Foschi in 1934 (with a European Roller, a Great Bittern, and a Grey Heron donated by the Forlì-born naturalist Pietro Zangheri), the collection was gradually augmented until 1980, with the acquisition of numerous other Italian collections, including some from the 19th century. The following collections are of particular interest, due to their historical importance and number of specimens: Dal Nero (Verona), Dellagiacoma (Predazzo), Vici (Arcevia), Ragionieri and Rasoini (Florence), Trischetta (Messina). Thanks to its extensive collections and numerous scientific, promotional, and educational activities, the museum plays a key role on the national scene. It also has a large library, which is open to the public and holds thousands of scientific and natural history publications. Finally, it hosts a natural history society that carries out studies and research, both in Emilia Romagna and elsewhere in Italy, in collaboration with public agencies.