Naturama

About the museum

The foundation was laid in 1935 by the journalist, author, and collector Harald Thomsen, who opened a zoological museum with the support of Svendborg's city council. The core of the collection consisted of his own mounted animals and a bird collection acquired from Egeskov Castle in 1934, with which the house could show almost all Danish bird species along with their eggs. As early as 1940 the municipality took over operations.

A showpiece was added in 1955: a sei whale about 18 meters long that had stranded off Tåsinge, whose skeleton Thomsen secured on loan. In 1978 the museum received state recognition.

With funds from the county, the EU, foundations, and the municipality, a new building was constructed from 2003, whose foundation stone was laid by Queen Margrethe II. In April 2005 the museum, expanded to 4,200 square meters, opened under the new name Naturama, a combination of "nature" and "drama". The building is arranged around a central cylinder in which the main exhibition shows sea, land, and air on three levels; light and animal sounds make day and night alternate in a 40-minute cycle.

Since 2008 Naturama has been an independent institution and has worked with Fjord&Bælt in Kerteminde since 2013. The treasures include whale skeletons, Arctic animals, a collection of more than 22,000 bird eggs, and fossils from Klintholm.

Highlights

• Main exhibition on three levels: sea, land, and air
• Skeleton of a sei whale stranded near Tåsinge in 1955
• Denmark's largest egg collection
• Polar bears, wolves, and hundreds of Nordic bird species
• Live animals in the Ranger Room
• Light and sound staging with day-night cycle

Permanent exhibitions

• Vand, Land og Luft – Main exhibition on three levels with animals from Nordic seas, forests, and mountains as well as hundreds of birds, staged with changing light and sound.
• Naturamas æggesamling – Denmark's largest egg collection, which tells of the development of the egg since the dinosaurs up to the diversity of colors.

Founded

1935

Operated by

Naturama (selbstständige Institution)

Director

Heiko Buch-Illing

Admission & discounts

Tickets cannot be combined with other discounts. Schools and institutions do not have free admission in high season and during holidays. Day tickets and annual passes are available online and at the entrance.

Accessibility

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

Elevator to all floors, ramps between the levels and to the outdoor areas, accessible restrooms on all three levels; wheelchairs and folding chairs are lent out free of charge. Accessible parking spaces about 250 m away. If the elevator is out of order, only level 1 is accessible to wheelchair users (status at +45 62 21 06 50). Loan ear protection, retreat space in the Storesalen, the Sunflower lanyard is recognized. The exhibition is rather dark, with changing light and animal sounds. Pets are not allowed, but guide dogs and assistance dogs with current vaccinations are.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Play area "Eventyrskoven", small playground outside, and hands-on activities in the Naturlab, such as dissections; live animals in the Ranger Room. Children's birthday parties as a "Ranger Expedition" on weekends 12:00–14:00 (DKK 179 per child, 10 to 30 participants, recommended for ages 5–12, not in high season). Family programs during the holidays, and on the last Thursday of the month "Ulvetimen" with dinner and stories for families.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check

Café Foderbrættet with homemade dishes from local ingredients, seating inside, in the courtyard, and on the upper terrace; opens at 10:00 and closes half an hour before the museum, brunch on the first Saturday of the month. Shop at the entrance with stuffed animals, books, and equipment for nature explorers. Café and shop are accessible only with a day ticket or annual pass.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 120 guests.

Conferences, meetings, receptions, and celebrations: Store Sal (octagonal with 360-degree projection, up to 120 people), RangerRoom and NaturLAB with roof terrace (up to 50 each) as well as the café (up to 50, only outside opening hours). Catering by Café Foderbrættet; guided tours and dissections can be added.

Plan your visit