Ever wondered how Earth came to be? Here at the Museum Mensch und Natur, complex questions meet understandable answers.
Welcome to the Museum Mensch und Natur. It is a natural history museum in Munich. The museum resides in the north wing of Nymphenburg Palace. Since 1990, the Museum Mensch und Natur has been a popular destination. It is one of Bavaria’s most visited state museums. It is also one of Germany’s most frequented natural history museums. Over five million visitors have explored its exhibits. Annually, over 200,000 people visit.
Inside, experience natural history firsthand. The Museum Mensch und Natur offers around 2,500 square meters of exhibition space. There are nine themed areas. These areas present knowledge about Earth’s history. They cover the development of life. The museum also explores the role of humans in their environment.
Interactive exhibits define the museum. Impressive dioramas and authentic natural objects await you. These features invite participation and discovery for all ages.
Let’s explore some highlights that the Museum Mensch und Natur offers.
First, immerse yourself in the “Colorful World of Minerals”. Rose quartz and amethysts sparkle before your eyes. A special eye-catcher awaits. It is a 760 kg rock crystal from Arkansas.
Next, step into “Gene Worlds”. A giant DNA molecule dominates the exhibition. Learn how scientists decoded the very stuff of our genes.
For a bit of hands-on fun, visit “Playful Natural History”. Test your knowledge by touching the right buttons. Correct answers unlock doors. Animals start racing as a reward.
The Museum Mensch und Natur also presents insights into how our body works. On a brain model you can illuminate the human auditory, visual and language centers.
An earthquake simulator replicates six different earthquakes from the past. You can experience what an earthquake feels like at different magnitudes.
Don’t forget to visit “JJ1 alias Bruno”. This section is dedicated to “Bruno”. In 2006, the brown bear was the first free-living bear in over 170 years to roam through Germany again.
Before 1944, Munich had a museum for natural history. The old exhibition rooms were destroyed during World War II. In 1990, the Museum Mensch und Natur opened as an exhibition forum.
The Museum Mensch und Natur is currently in transition. It will become the modernized Biotopia Naturkundemuseum Bayern. The reopening is planned for 2028.
During the construction phase, the museum will be closed. Since April 2021, an exhibition space is available in the Botanical Garden. It is called the Biotopia Lab. It informs about the future museum’s themes and progress.
Before you leave, remember that your visit supports the Bavarian Natural Science Collections. It also contributes to future exhibits and educational programs. Take with you not just memories but also a deeper understanding of our world.