Visits to the natural heritage
The “Luís Iglesias” Natural History Museum and South Campus Gardens
The University of Santiago de Compostela wants to show society a part of its natural heritage, by means of guided visits to the permanent exhibition of the “Luís Iglesias” Natural History Museum and the Campus Vida.
The Natural History Museum has its origin in the Natural History Cabinet, created in the academic year 1840-41. Nowadays, it represents the most important historical scientific heritage site of Galiza.
The richness of its funds turns this museum into a "reflection of the natural world" in general, and of Galician science in particular. Through its collections we can make a journey through the work of many of the most outstanding Galician scientists.
The main functions of this university museum are research, teaching and scientific popularization. Within the frame of scientific popularization, the permanent exhibition and various temporary activities (exhibitions, routes, workshops) stand out.
"Luis Iglesias" Natural History Museum
The permanent exhibition is organized into 3 blocks:
Zoology Rooms
In a first room, apart from numerous specimens of marine fauna, we can also see amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals of the five continents. We have a significant presence of specimens from distant countries and extinct species of the natural environment in Spain, such as the mongoose or the porcupine.
In the second room a panorama of Galician fauna is offered, emphasizing the diorama collection of mammals and birds of Galiza, where species are depicted in their habitats.
Geology Room
It holds one of the most valuable treasures of the scientific heritage of the USC: the collection of crystalographic models of father René Just Haüy. Only in the Musée de mineralogie de l´École des mines in Paris there is another collection similar to the one exhibited in our museum.
The collections of minerals and rocks of different origins are also of great interest, as well as geological maps and fossil specimens which complete the exhibition.
Botany Room
In this room specimens of the collections of woods and seeds from the American continent are combined with specimens of Galician vascular flora from the "Baltasar Merino" Herbarium and fungi from the "César Sobrado" mycological collection. In addition, clastic rocks and models used in the teaching of Botany are displayed.
South Campus Gardens
Example in urban gardening trends from mid-20th century, these gardens are an important cultural and didactic resource, where there is a mixed taste for exotic species (ginkgo, sequoia, swamp cypress) and native species (oak, birch, holly...).
The guided tour, with a duration of approximately two hours, covers the permanent exhibition and the gardens.The possibility of choosing only the permanent exhibition or the gardens is also available.
Timetables and reservations
To check timetables and make reservations:
981 593 589
981 563 100, extension 14 202
MEETING POINT: "Luís Iglesias" Museum, Faculty of Chemistry, South Campus
Prices
Individual general: 7 euros
Group general: 6 euros (minimum 12 people, maximum 20 people)
Groups organized by the USC, senior citizens, students from other university communities and holders of the youth card: 5 euros
Institutional visits and members of the university community (first visit free): 3 euros
Children under 12 years-old: free
School groups: free, by appointment