Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Italy Vigevano Cathedral of St. Ambrose

Cathedral of St. Ambrose

The Cathedral of St. Ambrose has been hiding a special parishioner within its walls.

Vigevano, Italy

Added By
Evgeny Koptev
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
  massimiliano20097 / Atlas Obscura User
Add Photos
  massimiliano20097 / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Among all of the followers attending the Cathedral of St. Ambrose in Vigevano, a prehistoric remnant remains the most faithful.

According to one paleontologist, the stone that was used to erect the walls of St. Ambrose holds the remains of an unlikely resident: a dinosaur, fossilized within the walls. The cranium, nasal cavity and teeth of what appears to be a dinosaur's skull can be viewed by X-ray, but Andrea Tintori – the University of Milan paleontologist who found the skull – feels the remains are so clearly dino in nature they could be easily identified without any technical skills.

However, most paleontologists argue the fossil isn't that of a dinosaur. Instead, it's the cross-section of an ammonite, an extinct type of mollusk that's fairly commonly found in fossils.

The specimen made its way into the walls sometime between 1532 and 1660, when rock was cut in sections and transported to this location to build the cathedral. Tintori also found a second section of the same skull in another slab nearby.

The stone, called Broccatello, was mined in Arzo, Switzerland, and may have been been host for this fossil for as long as 190 million years. A 3-D reconstruction is underway to help solve the mystery once and for all, and figure out what animal the skull belonged to. Until they know more, the skull remains an interesting spectacle and a surprise addition to the cathedral's decor.

Related Tags

Dinosaurs Natural Wonders Geological Oddities Animals Geology Nature
Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Italy: Roman Carbonara, Florentine Steak & Venetian Cocktails

Savor local cuisine across Rome, Florence & Venice.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

ekoptev

Edited By

massimiliano20097

  • massimiliano20097

Published

January 24, 2013

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://news.discovery.com/animals/dinosaur-skull-found-in-church.html
Cathedral of St. Ambrose
Cathedral of St. Ambrose
Vigevano, 27029
Italy
45.31696, 8.858691
Get Directions

Nearby Places

MUMAC Coffee Machine Museum

Binasco, Italy

miles away

The Ossuary of Bicocca

Novara, Italy

miles away

Cimitero di Guerra di Milano (Milan War Cemetery)

Milan, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Italy

Italy

Europe

Places 1,064
Stories 111

Nearby Places

MUMAC Coffee Machine Museum

Binasco, Italy

miles away

The Ossuary of Bicocca

Novara, Italy

miles away

Cimitero di Guerra di Milano (Milan War Cemetery)

Milan, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Italy

Italy

Europe

Places 1,064
Stories 111

Related Places

  • Sucre, Bolivia

    Dinosaur Dance Floor

    Largest site of dinosaur footprints ever found includes more than 5,000 tracks.

  • The sign for the iridium layer, located next to the exposed rock.

    Raton, New Mexico

    Raton Iridium Layer

    This unassuming layer of clay boasts an out-of-this-world origin story.

  • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

    Keahole Point Blowhole

    This unusual lava tube spouts seawater during high surf.

  • Woods Bay State Park

    Olanta, South Carolina

    Woods Bay State Park

    This natural wonderland is a unique chance to explore a Carolina bay, a mysterious geological formation of unknown origin.

  • Balls Pyramid

    Australia

    Ball's Pyramid

    This dramatic sea spire is home to the world's rarest insect and is part of the lost continent of Zealandia.

  • Kaputar, Australia

    Giant Pink Slugs of Mount Kaputar

    The unique ecosystem atop an Australian mountain is home to some colorful inhabitants.

  • Huesca, Spain

    Congost de Mont-rebei

    A breathtaking canyon offers stunning views and frightful pathways through an ecological paradise.

  • (Flickr/copepodo)

    Antsalova, Madagascar

    Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park and Nature Reserve

    Fabulous formations, weird and wonderful wildlife.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.