Naturkundemuseum

From the time of prehistoric reptiles to woolly mammoths of the Ice Age, the Naturkundemuseum in Kassel offers an incredible journey through time. The Naturkundemuseum, housed in the Ottoneum, invites you to explore the wonders of the natural world. This isn’t just any museum. The Ottoneum building itself has a fascinating history. It was originally Germany’s first purpose-built theatre, constructed between 1603 and 1606. Named after Landgrave Moritz’s son, Otto, the Ottoneum’s theatrical prime ended with the Thirty Years’ War. It later housed the Landgrave’s art and natural history collection, evolving into a hub of scientific research. The Naturkundemuseum’s collection spans millennia, showcasing the natural history of the Kassel region. You’ll encounter relics from the Paleozoic Era’s Permian period, journey through the Mesozoic Era, and arrive at the Cenozoic Era, encompassing the Ice Age. Imagine standing before a life-sized Iguanodon skeleton. Picture yourself face-to-face with a woolly mammoth. The museum also houses a unique treasure. The Goethe Elephant Skeleton, studied by the renowned Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, stands as a testament to scientific history. Another remarkable piece is the Schildbach Wooden Library. This library, created by Carl Schildbach, comprises 530 volumes. Each volume represents a different tree species. The books themselves are crafted from the trees they describe. The spine, the cover, the pages all come from the corresponding tree, creating a tangible link between the book and the nature it documents. Damaged during World War II, the Ottoneum and its collection faced devastation. More than half of the collection was lost to fire and bombs. But through meticulous restoration, based on historical plans, the Ottoneum was reborn between 1949 and 1954. Today, the Naturkundemuseum not only preserves the past but also fosters discussion about environmental protection and conservation. It’s a place where history comes alive. It’s a place where the whispers of ancient ecosystems can still be heard.