Museum of Engines and Mechanisms

History of collection

The museum houses a varied collection of engines and industrial, scientific, and educational equipment, acquired and used in various fields of research and teaching since the second half of the 19th century, following the foundation of the Royal School of Applied Engineering and Architecture of the University of Palermo in 1866.

The collection illustrates the evolution of fluid machines and related studies, covering a range of practical applications, from steam engines to jet engines and modern hybrid systems.

Stationary engines

At the Royal School of Applied Engineering and Architecture in Palermo, early studies on steam engines date back to the mid-19th century, as evidenced by some of the oldest stationary machines and scientific instruments preserved in the museum. The section dedicated to stationary engines also includes hydraulic machines such as Francis, Kaplan, and Pelton turbines, reflecting their importance in the evolution of fluid machine technology over time.

Automotive engines

The museum houses a collection of various automotive engines designed for diverse applications. Most of these engines were acquired for research and teaching activities and have gradually been replaced by more modern models currently in use in the University of Palermo's engine laboratory.

Aircraft engines

The museum houses a collection of historically significant aircraft engines. Some of these engines date back to the early days of aviation, including rotary radial-cylinder engines. Some of the oldest specimens come from Germany and were part of a batch of technical equipment transferred to Italy for research purposes after World War I. Among these engines is the French rotary engine "Le Rhône" 9Jby and a rare counter-rotating Siemens-Halske Sh.IIIa engine, representing an advanced step in the evolution of radial-cylinder rotary engines.