As part of the program for L’Aquila 2026, Italian Capital of Culture,the INGV—National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology —presents Earth—The Planet Through the Five Senses, an interactive and multisensory exhibition created to mark the 25th anniversary of the INGV’s founding, designed for the general public, families, and schools.

The exhibition itinerary guides visitors on a journey of discovery through the Earth system—its internal structure, geological evolution, natural hazards, and climate change—using the five senses: smell, taste, touch, hearing, and sight. Interactive thematic stations, installations, and exhibits allow visitors to smell the scents of the planet and space, touch rocks, fossils, and 3D models, hear the roar of an earthquake and the sound of an iceberg, observe the propagation of seismic waves, and admire an authentic meteorite on loan from Sapienza University of Rome.

Among the most extraordinary experiences are the Vibrating Table, which physically simulates the ground vibrations of a real seismic event; the Theremin, which allows visitors to “listen” to the Earth’s magnetic field; and Mātrā – The Song of the Planet, an audiovisual work by Filippo Gregoretti that transforms geophysical data from INGV monitoring stations into music. Thanks to collaborations with organizations that have long been active in the field of museum accessibility, the exhibition is designed to be as inclusive as possible, ensuring that every visitor, regardless of their abilities, can explore and understand geophysical phenomena through barrier-free pathways (including Braille panels in the section dedicated to sight, and haptic vests next to the Mātrā installation to experience the music as a tactile-sensory experience).

The exhibition will be open to the public with free admission starting Wednesday, July 8, according to the following schedule (valid through September 13):

• Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (last admission at 6:00 p.m.);
• Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (last admission at 12:00 p.m.) and from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (last admission at 6:00 p.m.);
• Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (last admission at 12:00 p.m.).

The exhibition will be closed during the week of Ferragosto (August 12–16), on Wednesday, August 19, Wednesday, August 26, and Friday, August 28 (Perdonanza Celestiniana).

From mid-September through October 29, “Terra – The Planet Through the Five Senses” will be open to the public free of charge according to a schedule currently being finalized: groups of more than 8 people are asked to make a reservation by emailing info@ingv.it.