The Fossil Forest of Dunarobba

The Petrified Forest is located in the village of Dunarobba, 2.5 km from the walls of Avigliano. Considered one of the most unique paleontological sites in the world, the trees remaining in this petrified forest are more than two million years old. The fossilization phenomenon that can be observed at this site is different from all other petrified forests because the trunks here were able to maintain their original consistency and erect position. In general, wood takes fewer than 100 years to petrify, and the organic matter needs to become petrified before it decomposes completely. A forest where the wood has petrified becomes known as a petrified forest. The fossilized forest of Dunrobba is made up of huge sequoia tree trunks still standing upright from the late Pliocene age (2 million years ago), and were covered by clay in their upright positions which kept them standing until they were initially discovered in the late 70’s during the mining works in a clay quarry. At that time, about fifty trunks of giant conifers were discovered, and most are still standing although the climate changes and weather conditions have taken their toll on this important scientific discovery.

The conservation of trees in an upright position and the presence of the original characteristics of the wood, are attributed to a continuous and gradual burial by sandy clay sediment that occurred in a marshy area located on the banks of a large lake. The particular characteristics of this paleontological site make it a unique natural monument of great scientific importance. The Superintendence for Archaeological Heritage of Umbria is involved in the preservation and conservation of this important paleontological site although presently most of the remaining fossilized trunks are protected by simple aluminum roofs and are left open to the elements. Major efforts are needed to counteract the decay of wood by the weather, the main cause of degradation.

The Center of Paleontology Plant was built in the late 90’s to support the activities of the Fossil Forest study on educational activity with schools. At the center an information service, hospitality, and service orientation of visitors with a guided tour that is included in the ticket price. Upstairs you can visit an exhibition in which it is designed as a reconstruction of the ancient forest and the fauna that inhabited this environment about 2 million years ago, accompanied by a series of paleontological finds of ancient mammals and Mollusca found in some deposits found in the areas surrounding the forest itself.

Photos of Fossil Forest of Dunarobba

CENTER OF PALEONTOLOGY FOSSIL FOREST OPENING HOURS in Dunarobba

WINTER SEASON (from the last Sunday of October to the last Saturday of March):
From Tuesday to Friday: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Saturday, Sunday and Holidays: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm / 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm

SUMMER SEASON
APRIL AND MAY
From Tuesday to Thursday: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm / 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Holidays: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm / 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm

JUNE
From Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm / 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm

JULY – AUGUST:
From Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm / 4:00 pm – 7:30 pm

SEPTEMBER:
From Tuesday to Friday: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm / 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm

OCTOBER:
From Tuesday to Friday: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Saturday, Sunday and Holidays: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm / 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm

CLOSED ON: Monday (exept holidays), Christmas and New Year’s Day

FOSSIL FOREST CAN ONLY BE VISITED WITH OUR STAFF’S PRESENCE.
TOURS START ON:

WINTER SEASON (From November to March):
From Tuesday to Friday: 10:15 am – 11:10 am – 12:10 am
Saturday, Sunday and Holidays: 10:15 am – 11:10 am – 12:10 am / 2:15 pm – 3:20 pm

SUMMER SEASON
APRIL AND MAY:
From Tuesday to Thursday: 10:15 am – 11:10 am – 12:10 am / 3:10 pm 4:00 pm 5:00 pm
Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Holidays: 10:15 am – 11:10 am – 12:10 am / 3:30 pm -4:45 pm – 6:00 pm

JUNE:
From Tuesday to Sunday: 10:15 am – 11:10 am – 12:10 am / 3:30 pm – 4:45 pm – 6:00 p.m.

JULY – AUGUST:
From Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 am – 11:00 am – 12:00 a.m. / 4:00 pm – 5:10 pm – 6:20 p.m.

SEPTEMBER:
From Tuesday to Sunday: 10:15 am – 11:10 am – 12:10 a.m. / 3:40 pm – 4:30 pm – 5:30 p.m.

OCTOBER:
From Tuesday to Friday: 10:15 am – 11:10 am – 12:10 am
Saturday, Sunday and Holidays: 10:15 am – 11:10 am – 12:10 am / 3:40 pm – 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm

TICKETS

Full Price: € 5.00
Reduced Tickets: € 3.00 (6 -14 years old, over 75, groups of at least 15 people)
Free: 0 to 5 years old, handicapped people and Their Companions, tourist guides, tourist escort).

Centro di Paleontologia Vegetale della Foresta Fossile di Dunarobba
Voc. Pennicchia, 46 – 05020 Dunarobba – Avigliano Umbro (TR)
Ph 0744.940348
email: forestafossile@kairos.tr.it or info@kairos.tr.it
Website