Museo de los Dinosaurs de Teruel

Teruel has a surprising reputation as a capital of palaeontology, and the Museo de los Dinosaurs de Teruel, which is known as Dinópolis, is the reason many families come to the city. The province holds some of the richest dinosaur and fossil sites in Spain, from Jurassic and Cretaceous rocks that yielded giant long-necked sauropods to younger deposits full of mammals. One of the best-known finds is Turiasaurus riodevensis, a very large sauropod discovered near the village of Riodeva, which counts among the biggest dinosaurs found in Europe. Dinópolis, one of Spain’s best-known dinosaur centres, was built to present this heritage to the public, and it opened in 2001.

Dinópolis is a hybrid of museum and theme park. The indoor section is a palaeontological museum with fossils, reconstructions and explanations of how scientists date and interpret what they find, and it covers the history of life from the earliest period to the arrival of humans. The outdoor zones have life-size models of dinosaurs, some of which move and roar, as well as themed areas, shows and rides. Simulators in 3D and 4D let visitors experience moving through prehistoric scenes, and a cinema screens films about the age of the dinosaurs. The emphasis is on learning through play, so younger children are the target audience, though adults who like palaeontology will find fossils worth seeing.

Beyond the main site in the city, the Territorio Dinópolis project links a number of smaller sites and museums across the province, such as places where fossils were actually found, so a longer visit can include a trip into the countryside. The mix of science and entertainment reflects an effort by the region to use its fossils as a basis for tourism and education.

Visitors should check the current status and opening dates before planning a trip, because the park has had periods of closure and its schedule varies with the season. Tickets, time slots and special days are listed on the official site, and some entry arrangements, such as free admission for people born in a certain year, have been offered as promotions. Allow a full day if you want to see everything.

Teruel itself is worth the stay. The old town, with its Mudéjar towers, the Plaza del Torico and the Museo de Teruel, is a short drive from the park, and the Casco Histórico, the Iglesia de Santa María and the Torre del Salvador are close to each other. The cathedral and the legend of the Lovers of Teruel add a different kind of history to a trip that begins with dinosaurs.