The garden occupies over 7,000 square metres, where over 6000 plants from 15 different species co-exist while forming amazing dinosaur tracks that give it a Jurassic nuance.
With geologic time as a common thread, the Museum´s gardens have been redesigned so visitors can take a tour organised by the three periods of the Mesozoic Era or the Age of the Dinosaurs - Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous- discovering replicas of the best-known dinosaurs of this era, with detailed information on them, and various original pieces of the Asturian Jurassic period. For this first phase of the restructuring project of the MUJA´s exterior, an economic contribution was made by the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology - Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness.
Outside the MUJA visitors can see the replicas of four dinosaurs, made by Adolfo Cuétara especially for the museum, that show some of the most representatives types from the Jurassic (Diplodocus, Allosaurus, Dacentrurus and Camptosaurus). Additionally, another 16 large reptile replicas that belong to the Cretaceous, some as striking as the Tyrannosaurus, Triceratops or Carnotaurus, will accompany visitors on their journey through the Age of Dinosaurs.
The area also houses partial replicas of fossilised footprints from the cliffs of Tereñes, in Ribadesella, and the La Griega beach, in Colunga. These reproductions make it possible to display the footprints left by four Jurassic dinosaurs whose replicas can be seen outside the Museum (thyrophores, sauropods, theropods and ornithopods). Several interpretation tables, in Spanish and Braille, complement the information on these sites, which are easily accessible thanks to a wooden walkway.
Furthermore, the MUJA has an excavation box next to footprint sites that contains different replicas of dinosaur fossils (teeth, claws, bones...) so that the children can understand part of a paleontologist´s work. The garden is completed with original material from the Asturian Jurassic such as a theropod dinosaur’s footprint, the fossilised trunk of a conifer or the track formed by two consecutive theropod footprints, presenting itself as an essential complement in a visit to the Museum’s permanent exhibition.
The three outdoor areas are connected by a paved path that will allow both wheelchair and baby strollers access to this new outdoor exhibition area.
Children also have another attraction around the MUJA: a playground with swings, slides and personalised games, starring dinosaurs.