Naturkundemuseum Joanneum

About the museum

The Natural History Museum goes back to the founding of the Joanneum in 1811 by Archduke Johann. Its natural history collections formed the basis of an institution that combined a teaching institute and a museum and was meant to promote the education of Styrian youth. It was housed in the Lesliehof on Raubergasse, a 17th-century palace that the Styrian estates had acquired for this purpose.

The building has been dedicated to natural science collecting ever since. Today it is part of the Joanneumsviertel, which connects the Natural History Museum with the Neue Galerie Graz, the CoSA – Center of Science Activities and the Landesbibliothek via a shared visitor center on the lower level.

The permanent exhibition "Der Natur auf der Spur" covers about 1,500 square meters on the third floor around two inner courtyards. The geoscience rooms show a 31-meter-long panorama of Earth's history, a large relief of Styria, historic mineral halls and Styrian mining; the biology rooms are devoted to evolution, species protection, insects and the diversity right on our doorstep. In every room, a workbench invites visitors to try things out.

The collections of botany, mycology, geology, paleontology, mineralogy and zoology are cared for and researched at the Studienzentrum Naturkunde on Weinzöttlstraße.

Highlights

• 31-meter-long panorama of Earth's history
• Large relief of Styria measuring 6 × 6 meters
• Historic mineral halls with systematics from the late 19th century
• Biodiversity on your doorstep, evolution and insect diversity
• Hands-on workbenches in every exhibition room

Permanent exhibition

• Der Natur auf der Spur – Tour around two inner courtyards on the third floor: Earth history, minerals and mining in Styria on one side, evolution, biodiversity and species protection on the other.

Founded

1811

Operated by

Universalmuseum Joanneum GmbH

Director

Wolfgang Paill (Leiter Abteilung Naturkunde)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: National Day (October 26): free admission

The ticket is valid for one calendar day for a single entry. Free admission with the "Hunger auf Kunst & Kultur" culture pass, the Steiermark-Card, the Graz Card and the GenussCard, and for ICOM members. Reductions also with Ö1-Club/Ö1 intro and ÖAMTC (up to €2) and with the Bühnen Graz Card. Drei KulturSonntag: two tickets for the price of one on Sundays.

Accessibility

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

Step-free, accessible entrance to the left of the restaurant on the west side of Joanneumsviertelplatz; automatic door and lift into the visitor center with ticket desk and accessible restrooms, lift to the exhibition floors. Induction loop, free loaner wheelchair against ID, portable chairs. Tours for blind visitors with tactile objects and tours in Leichte Sprache (Easy Language) on request. Information column with intercom at the Raubergasse entrance. Accessible parking space on Kalchberggasse.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly

The exhibition is designed for hands-on participation, with a workbench to try things out in every room. Regular family programs, for example on minerals and Earth history. On the second floor of the same building is the CoSA – Center of Science Activities. The entrance with automatic door and lift is also suitable for strollers.

Getting there & parking

Access via the visitor center beneath Joanneumsviertelplatz; entrance also from Raubergasse. The Studienzentrum Naturkunde (Weinzöttlstraße 16) can be reached by tram lines 3 and 5 and bus lines 41, 52 and 53.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant

"PEP. deli vom land" restaurant in the Joanneumsviertel (Mon–Fri), accessible from the courtyard side.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Venues in the Joanneumsviertel can be rented via "Joanneum to rent" (including the auditorium, foyer, Lesliehof and Joanneumsviertelplatz).

Plan your visit