A museum of natural history was founded in the city in 1922, and the new museum reopened in July 2013 in an extensive urban park. Most of the investment was made by local authorities after a concept development phase of about 10 years. The building, by Renzo Piano, simulates the slopes of the surrounding mountain peaks of the Dolomites and is a centre with a further seven external locations. It was built with great attention to ‘green technologies’. With an exhibition space of 5,000 m² covering six floors, visitors experience a tour through the natural history of both the Earth and evolution. The galleries on the various floors are grouped around a vertical corridor of light in the centre of the building, in which a range of exhibits seem to float before the eyes of the observer. Texts are in three languages and digital technology and interactivity play an important part in the presentations. Extensive laboratories enable school pupils and students to engage interactively with the central topics of the museum. Summer schools for students complete the comprehensive educational programme. The comfort of visitors is well catered for, with ample seating, a café/restaurant and a museum shop.