With an exhibition area of 850 square meters, the museum occupies the upper floor of the building housing the Department of Earth Sciences. The current location was commissioned and designed by Prof. Luigi Bombicci, the first holder of the Mineralogy chair at the University of Bologna, established in 1860, and director of the related Museum, which owes to him the most substantial part of its materials, collected between 1860 and 1903.
In total, there are over 50,000 samples of minerals and rocks from around the world, of significant historical and scientific importance. About 10,000 pieces are exhibited, divided into several general collections as well as thematic collections and exhibitions; of particular interest are those documenting the geo-mineralogical aspects of the Bologna territory; more than 150 meteorites, including the rare Renazzo carbonaceous chondrite; over a thousand beautiful Sicilian ambers; 650 ancient marbles; hard and local stones; and ancient scientific instruments.
