Ever wondered what lurks beneath the surface of the Baltic Sea? The Museum für Natur und Umwelt in Lübeck holds the answers. It stands as a testament to the region’s rich natural history.
The Museum für Natur und Umwelt boasts the longest museum history in Lübeck. Its roots trace back to Johann Julius Walbaum. He was a Lübeck doctor and naturalist. In 1799, Walbaum’s legacy formed the basis for Lübeck’s Natural History Museum.
In 1893, a magnificent neo-Gothic building was erected. It was specially built to display the collection. The “Society for the Promotion of Charitable Activities” had amassed a large collection. During the Second World War, disaster struck. The natural history collections were destroyed by fire. But Lübeck’s spirit of preservation could not be extinguished.
In 1951, the rebuilding of a natural history display and research collection began. By 1963, the museum found its new home. It is the building we see today. The Museum für Natur und Umwelt rose from the ashes.
Decades after its destruction, the museum rebuilt a solid foundation. Dedicated collectors from Lübeck contributed greatly. These natural objects document life. They serve as the “memory of the world”.
Step inside the Museum für Natur und Umwelt. Discover a wealth of biological and geological treasures. Explore the natural history of Northern Germany. Marvel at the diverse flora and fauna of the Lübeck region.
One of the highlights is visible even before you enter. A 14-meter-long skeleton of a sperm whale is on display in the courtyard. It serves as a reminder of the marine life that once thrived here.
Venture further inside the Museum für Natur und Umwelt. You will see fossilized whale skeletons. These skeletons came from the ancient North Sea. They are from a gravel pit near Groß Pampau. These unique skeletons are found nowhere else in Europe. They swam in the Miocene sea millions of years ago.
The permanent exhibition “In the Realm of the Water Man” is spread over an entire floor. It presents the local rivers Trave and Wakenitz. It also showcases the nearby Baltic Sea in new and unusual ways.
Another floor is dedicated to the local fauna. Observe honeybees at work in the “Glass Beehive”. Learn to understand bee language. Use the “Lübeck Bee Dance Clock” to interpret their movements.
The Museum für Natur und Umwelt offers many educational activities. There are lectures, seminars, and excursions. The museum also hosts vacation programs. For tourists and hobby collectors, the regular stone consultation is particularly interesting.
The Museum für Natur und Umwelt continues to evolve. It is a place of learning, discovery, and wonder. It connects us to the past. It inspires us to protect the natural world around us. The Museum für Natur und Umwelt is more than just a museum. It is a vital part of Lübeck’s cultural identity.