Sistema Museale di Ateneo

MARIA LUIGIA’S GIFT. Support the restoration of a forgotten treasure
2026-02-03 09:03 - 2026-12-30 20:00 (Europe/Rome)
SUPPORT THE PROJECT
ART BONUS
“Il dono di Maria Luigia” is an Art Bonus project promoted by the Ministry of Culture, a permanent tax scheme established to encourage financial support for public cultural heritage. Donations made to this project, intended for restoration, maintenance and enhancement work, entitle businesses and professionals to a tax credit equal to 65% of the amount donated.
Individuals, non-commercial organisations and businesses may support the project. Donations made entitle the donor to a tax credit equal to 65% of the amount donated, to be spread over three annual instalments.
For individuals and non-commercial organisations, the benefit is limited to 15% of taxable income, whilst for businesses it is limited to 5‰ of annual turnover.
Payments must be made using traceable payment methods, in accordance with current legislation.
For more information, click here.
THE COLLECTION
In 1819, Marie Louise of Austria donated a splendid collection of wax fungi to the University, comprising over a hundred specimens of great artistic and scientific value. It is a unique collection, invaluable for mycological study and identification thanks to its faithful reproduction of details, dimensions and colours. For over a century, the city of Parma has been unable to appreciate the Duchess’s gift, which remained hidden from the public for a long time.
Time has taken its toll on the materials and the original craftsmanship, making a conservation restoration essential to restore Marie Louise’s mushrooms to their former glory. The restoration of the collection will allow it to be returned to the city, two centuries after the donation, enriching its accessible heritage.
WHERE TO FIND IT
Once the restoration is complete, the Museum of Natural History will house part of the collection within the section dedicated to Marie Louise’s Cabinet of Sciences. The remaining fungi will be housed at the Botanical Museum, which will open at the Botanical Gardens, displaying a selection of historical materials produced or preserved by the city of Parma over the course of more than five centuries.
WHY SAVE IT?
Wax modelling, the art form behind this collection, has an intriguing history. Originating within the tradition of votive offerings, its techniques soon extended to human anatomy and botany. The short lifespan of wax has, over time, had two contrasting effects. On the one hand, other techniques based on papier-mâché or plaster have taken over, whilst, on the other hand, the value of the extremely rare surviving collections has risen dramatically.
Contact
UO Rapporti con il Territorio, Sport e Public Engagement
e-mail: uopublicengagement@unipr.it
Manager: Magda Gandolfi
e-mail: magda.gandolfi@unipr.it
tel. +39 0521 034575

Download the brochure

The MuDeS Collections: summer closures
2026-07-10 08:00 - 2026-08-30 23:55
During the summer, the Collections at MuDes, the Museo Diffuso delle Scienze, will be closed on certain days:
Crystallochemistry Collection: closed from 4 to 24 August.
“A. Lemoigne” Normal Veterinary Anatomy Collection: closed from 20 July to 28 August.
Palaeontology Collection: closed from 1 to 30 August.
Mineralogy Collection: closed from 8 to 23 August.
“M. Melloni” Physics Collection: closed from 5 to 19 August.
Mathematics and Computer Science Collection: closed from 3 to 21 August.
Have a great holiday!

The MUST closed from 1 to August 31
2026-08-01 00:30 - 2026-08-31 23:30 | Main building, via Università 12, Parma, 43121, Italia
The MUST – Museum of Natural History – will be closed from 1 to August 31.
It will reopen as normal on Tuesday 2nd September.
Have a great holiday!
