Naturhistorisk Museum Aarhus

About the museum

The driving force behind the museum was the Naturhistorisk Forening for Jylland, founded in 1911, which collected animals of the Danish fauna. In 1921, with the support of the city of Aarhus, it opened as Aarhus' Naturhistoriske Museum, initially in eight rooms on the upper floor of the Læssøesgade Skole.

On May 10, 1941, the present building in Universitetsparken, financed by the city, was inaugurated; it was designed by C. F. Møller in the style of the surrounding university buildings. That same year the museum received the Molslaboratoriet in the Mols Bjerge as a research station. In 1978 about 400 m² of exhibition space was added; today it is about 2,500 m².

The Naturhistorisk Museum is an independent, state-recognized museum institution and, by its own account, the second-largest natural history museum of its kind in Denmark. Its collections comprise millions of animals; research is carried out on insects, freshwater ecology, bioacoustics, and cultural landscape, among other topics. The permanent exhibitions show Denmark's landscapes since the Ice Age, global biodiversity with a sperm whale stranded on the Danish east coast, and finds from the Danish East Africa expedition of 1947. More than half of the visitors are children and young people. In the long term the museum plans a new building as a nature and science museum at the Aarhus harbor.

Highlights

• Sperm whale that stranded on the Danish east coast
• Vores Natur – Denmark's landscapes from the Ice Age to urban nature
• Ekspedition til Afrika with expedition tent and hands-on stations
• Elk, crocodiles, and hyenas in Den Globale Baghave
• Museum garden with picnic area
• Free admission under 18

Permanent exhibitions

• Vores Natur – Denmark's landscapes as interconnected ecosystems in six areas – from the period after the Ice Age through heath, coast, and freshwater to the urban and cultural landscape.
• Den Globale Baghave – Taxidermied animals from around the world show the diversity of life; the centerpiece is a sperm whale stranded on the Danish east coast, complemented by screens, cameras, and animal sounds.
• Ekspedition til Afrika – A journey from Denmark to Kenya in the footsteps of the museum's Danish East Africa expedition of 1947, with an expedition tent and hands-on stations for children and adults.

Founded

1921

Operated by

Naturhistorisk Museum (selbstständige, staatlich anerkannte Museumsinstitution)

Director

Bo Skaarup

Admission & discounts

Discounts: 25% for members of Danmarks Naturfredningsforening and Jyllands-Posten Oplev, 40% for employees of Aarhus Universitet. Tickets in the museum shop, annual passes also in the web shop.

Accessibility

• Partially 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

Lift platform at the main entrance (up to 300 kg), staff in the museum shop help. The elevator in the building does not go to the fourth floor. Accessible restroom on the third floor. A small wheelchair can be borrowed free of charge in the shop. One accessible parking space directly at the main entrance. Guide dogs and assistance dogs allowed, other pets not.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

More than half of the visitors are children and young people, who are free up to age 17. During the holidays there are programs, such as a wolf researcher rally, creative workshop, daily demonstrations, and safaris in the park during the autumn holidays. In Ekspedition til Afrika, children can experience camp life in the expedition tent and play conservator. Strollers are allowed or can be left at the coat check; folding strollers can be borrowed in the shop. Baby changing tables on the third floor and in the basement. Free activity booklets for the series "Dyr i By'r" to download.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in Universitetsparken near Antikmuseet and Steno Museet.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check

Museum café (Studiecaféen i Uniparken) with coffee, paninis, and cake, accessible without an admission ticket. Food you bring yourself can be eaten in the garden room or in the museum garden. Unattended self-service coat check in the basement; staff can keep valuables safe. Museum shop and web shop.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit