Natural History Museum of Meteora and Mushroom Museum

You might have associated Meteora with their beautiful monasteries, literally hanging from the wild and gallant mountains of the region. However, the recently established Natural History Museum of Meteora has already been included in the must-visit list for all families visiting the area.

This really modern building hosts a wide variety of fauna exhibits as well as an impressive collection of mushrooms. The establishment of the museum was based on a private initiative. From the moment you enter the museum, the love and care of its founders is apparent to all the museum visitors.

Visitors have the opportunity to see 350 species of birds and mammals, some of which are endangered. Even the names of some animals will make you feel you are participating in a “knowledge quiz”: ‘Hionoglafka’, ‘agriokourkos’, ‘agouti’, ‘fakohoiros’ and ‘tragelafos’ represent just a few of the peculiar animals you will see. They seem so alive that at some points you might feel they are calling you to pet them.

Apart from the birds’ and mammals’ exhibition, there is an impressive exhibition of 250 species of mushrooms of the wider area. This part of the museum will transfer you to a completely different world, where you will be able to feel the magic of the forest and mushrooms. Among others ‘lykoperdo the askomorfo’, ‘laktarios the solomohromos’, ‘ganoderma the shiny’, ‘ramaria the votryitis’ and ‘morhella’ are some of the strange mushroom types you will see.

What makes this museum one of its kind in Greece is the fact that both animals and mushrooms are presented in dioramas, that represent the natural environment where they live and grow, resulting in an excellent aesthetic outcome.

Also, in the museum, your children will have the chance to create their own mushroom sculptures! Please do not forget to inform the museum’s staff in advance in case you would like to participate in the specific family workshop.

There is a museum gift shop located on the museum’s upper floor. Among others in the gift shop, you will find various pasta types, sauces and even mushroom chocolate! Bon appetite!