Bodensee-Naturmuseum

About the museum

The natural history collections of the City of Konstanz go back to the Rosgartenmuseum, founded in 1870. Its founder, the pharmacist Ludwig Leiner, contributed beetles, butterflies, minerals, fossils and an extensive herbarium; to these were added a collection of birds and fish from Lake Constance, Öhningen fossils and mineral collections from private Konstanz owners.

Because space in the Rosgartenmuseum was no longer sufficient, separating off natural history was already being discussed in the 1920s, and after the Second World War it was largely put into storage. In 1967 the municipal council decided to house the Bodensee-Naturmuseum in the Kulturzentrum am Münster. When austerity plans threatened its closure in 1996, citizens collected over 13,000 signatures in a short time to save it.

Since 1999 the museum has occupied the top floor of the Sea Life building at Konstanz harbour, which was built at the time as a public-private partnership. The permanent exhibition sees itself as a “window to the lake”: it explains the geological history and formation of Lake Constance and shows its habitats with specimens, models and many hands-on stations. The storage depots hold over 30,000 objects, including Ludwig Leiner's herbarium with around 16,000 specimens.

Highlights

• Habitats of Lake Constance from open water to woodland
• Large 3D model of the Lake Constance region
• Touchable animals, feeling holes and animal sounds at the push of a button
• Free audio stations for adults, children and in English
• Gravel-digger playground in front of the museum
• Ludwig Leiner's herbarium with around 16,000 specimens (depot)

Permanent exhibition

• Fenster zum See – Dauerausstellung – The exhibition explains how Lake Constance came into being and, with specimens, models and hands-on stations, leads visitors through its habitats with their animals and plants.

Founded

1870

Operated by

Stadt Konstanz

Director

Martina Kroth

Admission & discounts

Card payment only. Visitors who also visit the Sea Life Konstanz already have admission to the Bodensee-Naturmuseum included in their Sea Life ticket.

Accessibility

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

The museum is fitted out for accessibility: access by lift via the Sea Life bistro on the ground floor, a few steps behind the outdoor staircase; the entrance and ticket desk are on the 1st floor. For blind and visually impaired visitors there are feeling holes, animals and tracks to touch, a large 3D model of the Lake Constance region, animal sounds and the audio guide; individual tours on request.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

Family afternoons with games and crafts for children aged 4–12 as well as events for children aged 4–6 (registration required). For independent exploring there is a rubbing picture book for 4- to 10-year-olds (bring your own paper and wax crayons), children's audio stations and free puzzle sheets. In front of the museum, a gravel-digger playground invites children to play.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located right on the lakeshore in the Sea Life Konstanz building.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Publications in the museum shop; free KonstanzWLAN in the museum rooms. The Sea Life bistro is on the ground floor of the building.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit