The spectacular Latanites maximiliani, standing at a height of 305 cm, is the ‘star’ of the Hall of Palms and originates from the Oligocene deposit of Sostizzo, near Salcedo (Vicenza). This splendid fossil was discovered in 1863 and is the first almost complete palm found in Italy. The species was dedicated by Roberto De Visiani to Maximilian of Habsburg (1832-1867), Emperor of Mexico and a passionate botanist. Maximilian, the younger brother of the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph, was shot dead during the Mexican Revolution a few months before the publication of De Visiani’s article.
