The history of the museum began on 3rd July 2000, when Paolo Paoletti and Onelia Marasca established by public deed the ‘Oppelide Foundation – Museum of Natural History’. The process was completed on 11th October 2001 with legal recognition under Presidential Decree 361/2000.

The origin of the fossil and mineral collection can be traced back to around 1966/1967 when Paolo and Onelia, both young adults driven by a shared passion for nature, knowledge and the exploration of ancient life, embarked on their first research in the Valle dell’Elce. They devoted all their free time to it, gradually expanding their collection through years of study and research trips to foreign countries.

The Foundation was established with the aim of making the couple’s collection of palaeontological discoveries and minerals accessible to the public through the establishment of a Museum of Natural History. This institution serves as a cultural institution open to schools and the wider community, facilitating the dissemination of knowledge and culture, fostering environmental awareness, and contributing to the enrichment of the area’s cultural and natural heritage.

The Museum of Natural History has evolved into a cultural repository, preserving exhibits that narrate the story of life on Earth from its origins to the present day. It serves as a platform for dialogue between the scientific community and the public, while also standing as a point of reference for all institutions operating in related fields.

In addition to overseeing the operations of the Museum, the Foundation’s objectives include disseminating and raising awareness of geo-palaeontological and natural sciences. It aims to foster public understanding and appreciation of nature, recognising the importance of preserving both natural and cultural heritage for future generations to enjoy and benefit from.

The name ‘Oppelide’ is derived from a type of ammonites (Oppelidae) exhibited in the Museum. These specimens, which are very rare in our area, lived around 170 million years ago and were found in the Bajocian levels of the Valle dell’Elce..

The museum was opened to the public on 22nd September 2002 in a small room located in Gagliole, at Via R. Bottacchiari no. 6, generously granted on a free loan basis by the Parish of San Michele Arcangelo di Gagliole. Later, on 10th April 2010, it was relocated to Via Tripoli no. 9 in the historic centre of Gagliole. The museum now occupies the ground floor of a 14th-century building owned by the Municipality of Gagliole, also provided to the Oppelide Foundation on a free loan basis..