The Museum of Geology – Paleontology-Paleoanthropology  (LGPUT) of the School of Geology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki was founded in 1927 and officially established as a university museum in 2019 (Government Gazette 228/B/4-2-2019). Administratively, it belongs to the Department of Structural, Historical & Applied Geology and is housed in the right wing of the ground floor of the old building of the School of Sciences (formerly FMS).

It is a space of approximately 60 m², which primarily houses the laboratory’s collections produced by the research activities of its members, as well as representative collections of minerals, rocks, and fossils from Greece and around the world.

The Museum’s collections currently include more than 70,000 specimens divided into four basic sub-collections:

• Minerals and rocks from Greece, which includes a petrographic collection of the structure and evolution of the Greek geology, a collection of minerals from the mines of Stratoni in Chalkidiki and Lavrio, enriched with characteristic minerals from Europe, a collection of marbles from Greece, and a collection of Greek coals.
• Paleontological collection of Invertebrates, which refers to their evolution and biodiversity throughout geological time (600 million years to the present) and includes large collections purchased from international institutions as well as characteristic collections from Greece, such as Ammonites, Hippurites, fossils fromMesohellenic Trench, etc.
• Paleontological collection of Vertebrates, which mainly refers to the evolution of Greek mammals over the last 20 million years, a field in which the laboratory conducts extensive research. The collection includes fossil remains of mammals from various sedimentary basins and caves in Greece (Axios Valley, Mygdonia Basin, Grevena Basin, Thessaly, Chalkidiki, Petralona Cave, Almopia Caves, etc.). The mammal collection is complemented by smaller collections of fossil fish, turtles, and birds from Greece.
• Paleoanthropological collection presenting the evolution of the human species through casts of primitive primates and hominids from around the world. Important place in the collection have significant original specimens from Greece, which are kept in the museum, including the partial skull of Ouranopithecus macedoniensis, of  9.5 Ma, the skull of the “Petralona Man,” of approximately 200Ka, Mesopithecus crania of ~7Ma, the cranium of Paradolichopithecus from Dafnero dated at 2.5Ma, etc.

More information about the museum, as well as about visiting it by appointment, is available on the website: gppmuseum.geo.auth.gr

The Museum of Minerals and Rocks of the School of Geology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki was founded in 1940 decision of the Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences and today belongs to the Department of Mineralogy, Petrology and Economic Geology. However, the collections include specimens dating back to the 19^th century, which were gradually enriched after the founding of the University of Thessaloniki in 1925, mainly through donations, purchases, and field geological research conducted by the staff of the School of Geology. The systematic development of the collections began particularly after 1929, when the Laboratory of Geology, Petrology and Mineralogy was established.

Today, the Museum is located in the Biology Building of the Faculty of Sciences, occupying an area of approximately 50 square meters. More than 500 mineral specimens are exhibited, along with about 100 samples of rocks, ores and industrial minerals. Most of the specimens originate from various regions of Greece, while several also come from different parts of the world. The collection includes rare and significant specimens that illustrate the geological wealth and diversity of Greek minerals and rocks, with material originating from regions such as Lavrion, Chalkidiki, Milos, Santorini, Syros, Naxos, and Thrace.

Among the most important collections of the museum are the mineralogical collection of A. Mavrokordatos, donated by the National Observatory of Athens, and the collection of approximately 700 mineral specimens acquired from the heirs of Professor F. Schäfer of the University of Vienna. Also noteworthy is the collection of rocks from Santorini, donated by the Lazarists, as well as collections of minerals from the Stratoni mine. A particularly significant part of the museum is the large mineral collection from Lavrion, which was purchased from the heirs of I. B. Serpieri, which includes approximately 700 specimens. It is also worth mentioning the recent donation of six meteorites by Professor S. Charalambous of the School of Physics.

The main objective of the Museum is to support education and scientific research, as well as to promote knowledge in the fields of Mineralogy, Petrology and Economic Geology. Its collections are used in the teaching activities of the School of Geology, while also offering students, researchers, school groups and visitors the opportunity to explore the world of minerals and rocks and to understand their importance for the study and appreciation of the geological heritage of Greece.

Further information about the Museum, as well as details regarding visits by appointment, are available on the website: https://museumopk.geo.auth.gr/

The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) established the Aristotle Museum of Natural History of Thessaloniki through decisions of the University Senate (2891/22-7-2014, 2910/28-5-2015, and 2985/10-4-2019). With the support and collaboration of the Municipality of Thessaloniki, the museum was granted premises at the city’s port (Pier A), housed in buildings of historical significance for the city. Since 2025, the museum has been administratively integrated into the Faculty of Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, with primary participation from the School of Geology and Biology.

The Museum aspires to function as a model museum, research, educational, and cultural center for Northern Greece and the country as a whole. Its activities include documentation, research, study, presentation, exhibition, and preservation related to the fields of both historical and contemporary geo- and biodiversity of the Greek region.

The material necessary for the development of such a museum already exists within several departments of AUTH. These invaluable collections, dating back to 1927–1929, will be utilized and showcased through appropriate scientific and educational initiatives. In particular, the Faculty of Science, mainly through the Schools of Biology and Geology, which maintain extensive botanical, zoological, mineral, rock, and fossil collections, as well as smaller institutional museums—plays a central role in this effort. Additional contributions come from the Schools of Physics and Chemistry, as well as from the School of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Environment, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

The museum’s mission is to promote the study, interdisciplinary research, protection, and dissemination of Greece’s geological and biological heritage, as well as its natural and ecological history. At the same time, it aims to communicate academically produced knowledge through innovative learning methods and experiential engagement with both the university community and the wider public.

The museum also supports the education and training of undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as the professional development of specialized researchers. Furthermore, it contributes to the training of museum educators and teaching staff in primary and secondary education, as well as graduates from the Schools of Geology, Biology, Geography, Agronomy, Forestry, Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, Architecture, Philology and Education. In addition, the museum participates in the design and implementation of educational programs for school students and the broader public.

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