The Vittorino Cazzetta museum
In Selva di Cadore there is a paleontological, archaeological and historical museum that traces the history of the region from the earliest geological eras to the Middle Age.
Notable finds include the complete Mesolithic burial of Valmo —the “Man of Mondeval”— with its grave goods and a cast of the first dinosaur footprints discovered in Italy, found in a boulder that had fallen from Monte Pelmetto.
The museum also contains a rich collection of fossils, Mesolithic artifacts from various sites in the area, and the important finds from Riparo Mandriz (Late Neolithic – Copper Age).
A significant section is dedicated to artifacts of the early shepherds who inhabited the Alps, passing through the Bronze Age and the Iron Age up to the Roman boundary inscriptions and the medieval period.
The museum was founded in 1982 as the Val Fiorentina Civic Museum with Vittorino Cazzetta’s fossils collection; it has grown thanks to the significant discoveries of international importance made by this self-taught scholar. Since 1997 it's been named after Vittorino Cazzetta in memory of his early death.
Facilities and Sevices
The Vittorino Cazzetta Museum is composed by five floors of an elegant building owned by the Municipality of Selva di Cadore. It is fully accessible thanks to an elevator and other assistive features designed to ensure that all visitors can enjoy the museum. There is a convenient parking area in front of the museum to facilitate visitor access.
On the ground floor, you'll find the reception area with a bookstore, a video room, the library, restrooms, and a space dedicated to temporary exhibitions. There is also a conference room that can be reserved for private events.
On the first floor there are sections dedicated to geology and paleontology, including a rich collection of fossils and the famous dinosaur footprints from Monte Pelmetto. Here you’ll also find the section on Mesolithic hunter-gatherers, which displays the museum’s crown jewel: the Valmo skeleton with its extraordinary grave goods.
The second floor takes visitors on an archaeological journey through the millennia, from the artifacts found at Riparo Mandriz to those from the Bronze Age at Mondeval de Sora. Visitors can admire the Venetic menhir from Monte Pore, Roman-era artifacts—including boundary inscriptions—medieval artifacts, and illustrative panels on the most significant historical and artistic sites of the area.
The third floor is ideal for children, with relaxation areas and themed play areas, as well as a rotating selection of educational videos that make the visit enjoyable and funny for the whole family.
The lower floor is used for temporary exhibitions when they are held, giving extra space for special cultural events.
