inatura – Erlebnis Naturschau Dornbirn

About the museum

The foundation was laid by the Dornbirn manufacturer and collector Siegfried Fussenegger. From 1927 he displayed his geological and botanical collections in Dornbirn's old town hall; in 1939 the “Exhibition of the Natural History of Vorarlberg” moved into the Stierhalle on Viehmarktplatz, where it stayed for more than twenty years, although it was meant as a stopgap.

In the 1950s the State of Vorarlberg and the City of Dornbirn acquired a building on Marktstraße and bought Fussenegger's collection. In 1960 the Vorarlberger Naturschau opened there with Fussenegger as its director; the natural history holdings of the Landesmuseum in Bregenz were added as well. Towards the end of the century the presentation was considered outdated, and in 1999 the sponsors decided on a fresh start on the grounds of the Rüsch Works, which had closed in 1984.

The Rüsch Works had grown out of a hammer forge acquired in 1827 and for a long time was the most important metalworking company in the region, specialising in turbines and hydropower plants. The architects Helmut Dietrich, Hermann Kaufmann, Christian Lenz and Much Untertrifaller converted the assembly hall, foundries, turning shop and forge for the museum and added buildings made of Corten steel; the old cupola furnaces of the foundry were preserved. Around the building a city garden of about two hectares was created.

The inatura – Erlebnis Naturschau opened in June 2003. Instead of display cases, it relies on trying things out and hands-on understanding: visitors explore the habitats of mountains, forest and water, walk through the human body and experiment in Science Zones. In addition, the inatura collects and conducts research as a state natural history museum and advises the public on animals, plants, fungi and rocks.

Highlights

• Four-metre-long digital relief of Vorarlberg
• Large mounted animals including wolf, fox and wild boar in the Forest & Meadow area
• Live bees, ants, small animals and an aquarium with fish from the Rhine and Lake Constance
• Walk-through human body in “The Miracle of Man”
• Science Zones with experiments on technology and bionics
• Historic industrial architecture of the Rüsch Works with city garden and playground

Permanent exhibitions

• Lebensräume Gebirge, Wald & Wiese und Wasser – Interactive experience areas on Vorarlberg's mountains, forests and waters with mounted specimens, live animals, an aquarium and a large digital relief of the state.
• Das Wunder Mensch – A walk-through path through the human body that follows digestion to let visitors experience the organ systems and their functions.
• Science Zones – Experiment stations in all areas show the connections between nature, natural science, bionics and technology.

Founded

2003

Operated by

inatura – Erlebnis Naturschau GmbH (Land Vorarlberg und Stadt Dornbirn)

Director

Ruth Swoboda

Admission & discounts

Prices 2026. Free admission with the V-CARD, the vor.you Erlebnis- and Sommerkarte, the Kulturpass “Hunger auf Kunst & Kultur”, ICOM and German Museums Association (Museumsbund) cards, for members of the Vorarlberger Landesmuseumsverein and with a press card. 10% discount with, among others, the Bregenzerwald Card, 3TälerPass, Montafon Guest Card, Lech Card Summer, VN Vorteilskarte, ÖAMTC card, Ö1 Club Card and Klimaticket VMOBIL annual pass; children's price with the aha card. No online ticket sales; payment at the ticket desk in cash or by card. With an inatura ticket, the neighbouring Kunstraum Dornbirn is free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

All exhibition areas can be reached by wheelchair, walking aid or pushchair. Three disabled parking spaces in front of the main entrance, tactile floor guidance system to the information desk, lift with tactile labelling and voice output, two accessible toilets, wheelchair available to borrow at the ticket desk and seating in the exhibition. Assistance dogs allowed. Tours in sign language and spoken language for deaf and hard-of-hearing people, as well as programmes for people with dementia.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

Suitable for all ages; many hands-on stations, a climbing wall, an underground tunnel system and a hunting hide in the forest area. Children's birthday parties from age 6 with puzzle rally and treasure (register at least one week in advance, one adult per five children). Large playground with a water channel in the adjacent city garden.

Getting there & parking

Via the A14 (Rhine Valley motorway), exit Dornbirn West towards the centre, turn left at the hospital/Hotel Krone. From Switzerland via the Au/Lustenau border crossing.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

inatura Restaurant in the building. Museum shop with books, experiments, games and crystals. Cloakroom and lockers in the entrance area, free Wi-Fi throughout the museum. Packed snacks may be eaten in the foyer or in the city garden.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Entrance hall (from 7 p.m.) and inner courtyard for lectures, readings, product presentations and private celebrations; rented together with the restaurant operator, who also handles private occasions such as weddings and company parties. Special tours can be booked.

Plan your visit