About us

The State Museum of Natural History Karlsruhe is not only a favorite destination amongst Karlsruhe visitors: with our outstanding collections and research activities, we are also one of Germany's largest natural history museums. We place great value both on scientific research and the visitor experience. Research, collection and preservation, communicating knowledge – we believe it is our job to connect the dots between these traditional responsibilities of a museum.

The parts of the museum which visitors experience directly are our exhibitions. Here our goal is to make natural history accessible to all our patrons.

Our permanent collections are exhibited in over 5,000 square metres of display space. We present native and exotic wildlife from different regions of the world in natural-looking dioramas of their habitats. Live animals from the Vivarium are also integrated in the exhibitions. For example, the State Museum of Natural History's "mascot," the giant salamander Andrias, is a living fossil that helps to illustrate the history of our earth. The model of a pterosaur with its ten-metre wingspan was constructed in the museum and seems to soar through the air in the atrium. Rocks, fossils and minerals from the Upper Rhine region provide visitors with a unique view of the geological history of our region.

In addition to the permanent exhibitions, our temporary special exhibitions focus on a wide spectrum of topics.

Our scientists are involved in international research projects around the globe, allowing us to present the latest research findings alongside our permanent and special exhibitions.

The Vivarium is one of the special attractions of the State Museum of Natural History. In aquariums and terrariums that mimic natural habitats, visitors can admire exotic animals ranging from the poison dart frog to the rattle snake, Mediterranean Sea dwellers such as the octopus and the catshark, and a rainbow array of tropical fish.

The museum's education programmes are aimed at all age groups. Our goal is to awaken interest in and facilitate understanding of the interrelationships of the natural world. We have something to offer all of our patrons — from guided tours for school classes or pensioners to children's birthday parties, scientific lectures and events which tie in with our special exhibitions.

The work done by our team of botanists, entomologists, geoscientists and zoologists not only makes important contributions to international research, but also directly effects wildlife protection and nature conservation. These scientists' publications and expert knowledge facilitate the work of nature conservation authorities in Germany and abroad, providing a foundation of data and facts to support political decision-making on ecological and economic issues.