Engage with natural history in one of Europe’s mostimpressive collections of dinosaur fossils, animal specimens and geological curiosities.
For kids and the curious, the Senckenberg Museumprovides an engaging experience of the natural world. It continues the legacyof its namesake, Johann Christian Senckenberg, a famed naturalist and collectorof the 18th century. Enjoy exhibitions of a wide collection of plantand animals, as well as dinosaur skeletons, tall trees and glow-in-the-darkrocks.
One of the museum’s main attractions isits vast collection of dinosaur artefacts. Come and see one of the manycomplete skeletons that have been carefully preserved by the museum.
Keep an eye out for the more familiarreconstructed skeletons like the tri-horned triceratops, the spiny stegosaurusand the intimidating Tyrannosaurus Rex. The museum is also home to skeletons oflesser-known species, like the mighty Placodus. In fact you won’t find anothercomplete skeleton of this ancient marine beast anywhere else in the world. See fossiliseddinosaur footprints outside in the museum’s Geopark.
Moving forward a few thousand millennia,observe some of the museum’s displays of current, non-extinct species. Many ofthese exhibits celebrate the diversity of life in today’s world. See theextremes of Earth’s biology at the “Giants and Dwarves” exhibition, whichdisplays the smallest and largest plants and animals. Enjoy photos of theworld’s tallest trees and the 2-gram (0.07-ounce) Etruscan shrew, one of theworld’s tiniest mammals.
After seeing the organic beauty of theworld, head to the geological exhibits and enjoy the sparkling gems and coloursencased in the earth’s rocks. Look out for fluorescent stones that glow in thedark as well as an impressive collection of meteorites.
For a revealing demonstration of some ofthe museum’s 50 displayed species, enjoy dioramas showing miniature animalssimulated in their natural habitats. Rent a multilingual audio guide for asmall fee. It provides commentary for an enlightening self-guided tour.
Access the museum from the U-Bahn andtram stops nearby. Drivers can find a cheap parking lot on the neighbouringSiesmayerstrasse. The museum is open every day of the week and there is anadmission fee.
