Have you ever walked through a petrified forest? Right here in Chemnitz at the Museum für Naturkunde Chemnitz you can. This isn’t just any museum. It’s the oldest museum in Chemnitz. Founded in 1868 it boasts a collection of over 300000 exhibits.
The museum’s story began even earlier in 1859 with a group of natural science enthusiasts. They formed a reading society. Two years later they became the Natural Science Society. Their goal To study nature and build a collection. In 1868 their collection became the property of the city. This is how Chemnitz’s oldest museum was born.
For nearly a century from 1909 to 1995 the collection resided in the König-Albert-Museum. Johann Traugott Sterzel was the first director. He and his colleagues carefully curated the growing collection of specimens. The name changed to Museum für Naturkunde in 1961. Since 2004 its home has been the DAStietz cultural center.
The museum’s main attraction is the Petrified Forest. This huge display is in the DAStietz’s grand atrium. It’s the largest plant fossil in Europe. Formed over 290 million years ago during volcanic eruptions its fossilized trees are truly awe-inspiring. Imagine the heat the pressure the sheer force of nature that created this amazing spectacle.
But the Petrified Forest is not the only treasure inside. The Museum für Naturkunde Chemnitz also houses the Sterzeleanum a historical cabinet. There’s also an insectarium filled with fascinating creatures. You’ll see an incredible variety of insects. Rotating special exhibitions add to the excitement. These ensure that there is always something new to discover.
In 2017 a museum employee made a surprising discovery. They found Ctenolepisma calva. This tropical insect had never before been seen in Europe. It was given the nickname Geisterfischchen ghost fish. This highlights the ongoing research and discoveries of the Museum für Naturkunde Chemnitz.
So explore the Museum für Naturkunde Chemnitz. Marvel at the ancient petrified trees. Discover the wonders of the insectarium. Let the exhibits transport you back in time. Allow the museum to ignite your curiosity about the natural world. You’ll leave with a newfound appreciation for the history of our planet and the remarkable work of this exceptional institution.