Aldo Roggiani And Angelo Bianchi Mineralogy Museum

The Ossola Mineralogy Museum is named after two researchers:

• Aldo Roggiani (1914 – 1986): naturalist, scholar of mineralogy and petrography, discoverer of a new mineral, named roggianite in his honour, in Vigezzo Valley.
• Angelo Bianchi (1892 – 1970): mineralogist, petrographer and professor at the University of Padua.

He dedicated himself to mineralogical and petrographic research in the Ossola and Devero Valleys.

It is run by the volunteer association Piero Ginocchi Research Centre.

It is housed in Il Colonnato building, within the Crodo Thermal Park, together with:

• Carlo Brazzorotto National Mineral Water Museum;
• Veglia and Devero Alps Nature Park Visitor Centre.

The Mineralogy Section results from the mineral collections in Verbano Cusio Ossola area undertaken by researchers who have partnered with the Piero Ginocchi Study Centre on a private basis or through their associations.

The cooperation between researchers and the Study Centre is still ongoing and steady.

The Mineralogy Section carries out the terms of a loan agreement whereby collectors hand over samples for research and exhibition, the Study Centre provides scientific support and makes the museum facility available.

As such, the Mineralogy collection is constantly increased by the acquisition of new minerals.

A Committee screens the material handed in by the researchers, sorting it into:

• aesthetic: the most pleasing minerals are displayed in the Museum and in a showcase in the Park Visitor Centre;
• scientific: the material is subject to evaluation and identification by the museum curators in Milan and Padua;
• current: the surplus samples are either stored for possible exhibitions or used as exchange material.

The Museum:

• cooperates with the managing authority of the Veglia and Devero Alps Nature Park on searching for minerals in the protected areas of the park as well as their classification and conservation;
• collaborates with the Milan and Padua museum curators to identify material of scientific interest.