Open Travel Guide
  1. Home
  2. Destinations
  3. Italy
  4. Molise
  5. History
  6. Isernia La Pineta & National Paleolithic Museum

History · Molise, Molise

Isernia La Pineta & National Paleolithic Museum

  • EraLower Paleolithic
  • AdmissionAround €4 (approx. USD 4); reductions for students and seniors
  • HoursTuesday–Sunday, daytime hours; closed Mondays (verify seasonal timetable)

The museum is built directly over the excavation, allowing visitors to view the ancient living surfaces in situ along with displays of stone tools and the bones of Ice Age animals butchered by early humans. Multimedia reconstructions bring the deep prehistory of the Molisan landscape to life, making it one of Italy's most important Paleolithic destinations.

Practical information for Isernia La Pineta & National Paleolithic Museum
Admission Around €4 (approx. USD 4); reductions for students and seniors
Hours Tuesday–Sunday, daytime hours; closed Mondays (verify seasonal timetable)
Address Contrada Rampignola, Località La Pineta, 86170 Isernia, Molise

Why it matters

One of the oldest known human settlement sites in Europe and a landmark of prehistoric archaeology.

Site facts

Built
Site dated c. 600,000 BC; museum opened 1999, expanded since

Weather through the year in Italy

JAN FEB MAR 13° APR 18° MAY 22° JUN 25° JUL 25° AUG 21° SEP 15° OCT 10° NOV DEC

Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding

Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Italy.

Location

Contrada Rampignola, Località La Pineta, 86170 Isernia, Molise

41.5915, 14.2413 View on map

Highlights

  • Excavation viewable in situ beneath the museum
  • Thousands of Lower Paleolithic stone tools
  • Ice Age animal bones (bison, rhinoceros, elephant)
  • Reconstructions of early human life

Tips for visiting

  • Allow around 90 minutes. Easily combined with Isernia's old town and the Fontana Fraterna fountain.