Dolomites: walking through the geology of wonder

02.03.2026

Photo by Matteo Visintainer, Archive of the Fondazione Dolomiti UNESCO

The Department of Geosciences at the University of Padua (Via Giovanni Gradenigo, 6 - Padova) will host from March 6 to April 18, 2026, the traveling exhibition Dolomites: walking through the geology of wonder, an interactive and trilingual exhibition dedicated to the geological landscapes of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The opening is scheduled for Saturday, March 7 at 10:00 a.m.

Conceived as an immersive experience between science and nature, the exhibition transforms the hiker’s trail into a true journey through time, guiding visitors across 270 million years of geological history. It is a narrative that reveals the deep forces that have shaped these extraordinary mountains and the natural processes that continue to influence their evolution today.

The project, promoted by the Fondazione Dolomiti UNESCO, has been hosted since 2025 in the cities of Trento, Belluno, and Pordenone—territories that share the Dolomites serial site. Its arrival in Padua highlights the historic role of the Department of Geosciences, long a key player in scientific research in the Dolomites area and a fundamental contributor to the development of the exhibition within the Foundation’s Functional Network of Geological Heritage.

Through installations, narrative panels, and interactive modules from the Dolomites World Heritage Geotrail, visitors will be able to explore the distinctive features, transformations, and phenomena characterizing the nine Systems that make up the Dolomites World Heritage Site. Guides specially provided by the Department will accompany visitors with clear and engaging explanations, making scientific content accessible to audiences of all ages.

To complete the exhibition experience, a selection of representative samples of Dolomite rocks, minerals, and fossils will be on display, offering visitors the opportunity to observe original geological materials firsthand and connect directly and concretely with the natural history of the region.

The exhibition is free of charge and requires booking. Visiting hours are as follows:
Friday: 5:00–6:00 p.m. and 6:00–7:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30–10:30 a.m., 10:00–11:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.