Field Trip Leaders: Guido Roghi1, Luca Giusberti2
1IGG-CNR, Padova.
2Università di Padova.
Date: 19 September 2025
Cost: € 77 (FULL); € 40 (REDUCED SIMP/SGI/EAG members); € 70 (REDUCED Societies affiliated to SGI)
Minimum number of participants: 25
Maximum number of participants: 30
Description
This field trip will take the participants to the fossiliferous sites of Bolca (Verona province), famous for their exceptionally preserved fossil fish and plants. The local museum also hosts some of the most important fossils found in the famous Pesciara between the XX and XXI centuries.
The fossil site of Pesciara has been known since the 16th century. It represents a point of reference for the history of paleontology and scientific dissemination.
From the discovery of fossils in outcrops to the excavation of deep tunnels, over more than four centuries of discoveries, the fossils of Bolca have significantly contributed to and stimulated ongoing debates regarding the interpretation of the origin of fossils. This has led to a shift in understanding, from the view that fossils were structures formed inside rocks through heat-induced processes, to the recognition that they are the remains of once-living organisms.
In the Museum of Fossils in the Bolca village, visitors can gain insights into the early Eocene geological history of this region of the Lessini Mountains, explore the iconography depicting the history of the deposit, and appreciate the rich biodiversity of this marine and terrestrial ecosystem. It will also be possible to discover the results of modern geophysical analyses useful for understanding the volcano-sedimentary events that involved the famous "Pesciara" and its genesis.
At the end of the excursion, we will enjoy a lunch followed by a visit to a local winery, where we will have the opportunity to taste some excellent wines.
Programme
8:00 am - Departure from the Department of Geosciences (Via G. Gradenigo, 6 Padova).
7:00 – 7:30 pm - Return in Padova.
Further indications
Cost includes transport by bus and wines tasting.
Field trip contact: guido.roghi@igg.cnr.it