Natural History Museum Potsdam

Potsdam and its surroundings have plenty of man-made history to fill any holiday visit. But the State of Brandenburg is also a perfect place to investigate all the outside environment has to offer. Luckily, the Natural History Museum Potsdam provides travellers and locals alike an entire world under one roof — with all the research and explanations one would expect of a museum in the Potsdam region.

The Natural History Museum Potsdam can be found in the building that once served as the House of Nobles in the Brandenburg city of Zauche (Ständehaus der Zauche). Built in 1770 — with the architecture designs of Georg Christian Unger — the structure was damaged during the Second World War. It was rebuilt in the 1970s and early 1980s, with a baroque garden added in 2005.

Today, the renewed historic building brings the region’s nature to life. In basic terms, the museum is the go-to place for collections and research about the State of Brandenburg’s fauna and flora. Across the museum’s four floors, you will find information and presentations about the area’s incredible depth of diversity. There are collections dedicated to birds, mammals, fish, and insects.

“Wildlife of Brandenburg” is a permanent exhibition that helps connect the information from all of the outdoors and will bring the individual aspects of nature into a coherent whole for any visitor. Other permanent displays include “Animals in the Garden” and “Wildlife Brandenburg: Species diversity Past and Present.” There are also “special” exhibitions currently on display. “In Human Footprints — Biological Invasions” the museum explains the relationship between man and the wild. With “Animal Life in the UNESCO World Heritage” the importance of biodiversity is underscored. The display “Take a Deep Breath — Experience the Havel,” gives museum-goers an understanding of the value all the species bring to this river ecosystem.

The 22 cold-water pools include more than 40 native species of fish and include pike and sturgeon.

The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday and groups of six or more can reserve guided tours.

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 Getting there:

by bicycle (a service of komoot GmbH)
by public transport (a service of VBB)
by train (a service of Bahn AG)
All about local traffic

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