Open Monuments at the University of Sassari

The University is taking part in the initiative by promoting a number of guided tours on 3 and 4 May 2025:

University's historical building - Piazza Università 21

Muniss - Scientific Museum of the University of Sassari - Bionaturalistic Pole, Via Piandanna 4

The first building of the new Jesuit College was constructed along the city walls, with classrooms and subsequent expansions starting in 1625, including lodgings for the clergy and the Church of St. Joseph, which was later demolished. The structure, inspired by the Escorial in Madrid, is imposing and compact, featuring rectangular windows and buttresses connected by arches. Today, part of the complex houses the Royal Tobacco Factory and includes medieval remains. The library, once rich in volumes and manuscripts, has been relocated, and the original spaces are now used for exhibitions.

Students of the Department of History, Human Sciences, and Education will guide visitors through the history of the historic building, the coats of arms in the atrium, the plaques in the upper and lower loggias, and the paintings in the Great Hall.

Guided tours by:
Annamari Nieddu, Professor of the History of Political Institutions, with students from the Dipartimento di Storia, scienze dell'uomo e della formazione 

The Muniss exhibition space, the Science Museum of the University of Sassari, is located in the Piandanna bionaturalistic pole. Amidst period furnishings and laboratory counters, watched over by the ‘Gavina’ gharial, the museum's mascot, the historical-scientific itinerary unfolds, presenting evidence and and materials from the various collections and recounts the history of the University of Sassari (starting from its foundation in 1562), the research carried out by scholars, and the variety of its collections.
The exhibition is extended virtually by links to audiovisual products, with talks by researchers and experimental demonstrations. The departments' collections, which comprise a heritage valued at around 200,000 mineralogical, zoological, botanical and instrumental goods, are represented in the Muniss space, each with a few significant objects.
In addition to its preservation, exhibition and historical research functions, the museum contributes to the research dissemination and scientific animation activities carried out by the University with the ‘Third Mission’, promoting debate on topical scientific issues and public participation.
Visitors can also take part in a number of in-depth workshops, aimed at enthusiasts and the curious of all ages:

• laboratory Let's discover science with the explorer Alberto Lamarmora (children, duration 30 min)
• phygital Ecobab game (children and adults, duration 60 min.)
   

Latest Addition
By visiting the Museum, you will also be able to access the newly established Botanical Garden – see the description below – which is just a four-minute walk from the Muniss!

Guided tours by  Stefania Bagella, Ufficio Terza Missione e Territorio, with students from University of Sassari.

Saturday – 5:00/9:00 p.m.
Sunday – 10:00 a.m./9:00 p.m.

Visiting a botanical garden is an experience that offers many benefits! One can connect with nature, one can discover how great the variability in plants is. Botanical gardens play an important role in preserving endangered species and promoting biodiversity.

Plants in this green space are placed in a bio-systematic order with the aim of supporting scientific research and educational outreach on botany.
The Botanical Garden of the University of Sassari extends over approximately 2.5 hectares, is called the ‘SYSTEMATIC AND THEMATIC COLLECTIONS AREA’, and consists of 121 thematic beds, each dedicated to a specific plant family.
The Garden is recently established, but of high cultural, social, scientific and also tourist value.

In the area of Lu Regnu, as this territory was called in the past, we have the presence of an archaeological zone of inestimable value, since it is precisely from the botanical garden that the remains of the Roman aqueduct that conveyed water to Turris Libisonis start, with the channels still in a perfect state of conservation, testifying to the admirable example of the use and conservation of the
admirable example of the use and conservation of water resources.
Visitors can take part in the guided tour that winds its way through the botanical-naturalistic area and the archaeological area, and is aimed at enthusiasts and the curious of all ages.

Guided tours by:
Luisa Carta, Botanical Garden curator 
Paola Ruggeri, DISSUF Chair of Roman History) with the participation of students from the University of Sassari.


Guided tours:
Saturday – 5:00/9:00 p.m.
Sunday – 10:00 a.m./9:00 p.m.