MUSEO PALEONTOLÓGICO SANTA BÁRBARA (MUPAL)

Museo Paleontológico Santa Bárbara, Santa Bárbara Palaeontological Museum in Alpuente, is a fascinating space dedicated palaeontology and natural history. Known as MUPAL for short, the museum was founded in 1992 by a group of researchers and palaeontology enthusiasts. It currently houses a collection of over 10,000 fossils, including the remains of dinosaurs, mammals, reptiles, fish and plants. The museum is located in a 16th century manor house that has been restored and adapted for the fossil collections. There are three floors: on the ground floor you will find the reception, museum shop and temporary exhibition space; on the first floor you will find the permanent exhibition space where the fossil collections are on display; and on the second floor you will find the research lab and library.

The museum fossil collection is divided into three sections, namely dinosaurs, mammals and other animals. The dinosaur section comprises the remains of the most renowned dinosaurs from the area, like Allosaurus, Diplodocus and Tyrannosaurus rex. The mammal section meanwhile displays the remains of old mammals like mammoths, rhinoceros and bears, and the other animal section houses the remains of reptiles, fish and plants. Santa Bárbara Palaeontological Museum plays an important role in researching and raising awareness about palaeontology. In collaboration with Universitat de València and Xarxa de Museus de la Diputació de València, Alpuente Council has set up Aula de Recuperación Paleontológica, a room where the dinosaur remains found in the municipality of Alpuente are cleaned, reconstructed and studied. The museum runs guided tours, workshops and activities for kids and hosts temporary exhibitions and science events.