Erlebnismuseum Lernort Natur

About the museum

"Lernort Natur" (Learning Place Nature) is an initiative of hunters in Germany. The Kreisjägerschaft Aachen Stadt und Land runs two offerings: the mobile "Rollende Waldschule" (Rolling Forest School), on the road since 1994, and the experience museum as a fixed location. The museum opened in Monschau in 2013; in 2014 a friends' association was founded to support specimens, repairs and renovations.

The museum is housed in the Handwerkermarkt building in the district of Burgau, not far from the Eifelsteig trail. Across two floors and about 200 square meters, more than 1,000 specimens and exhibits are arranged in habitats ranging from the farmyard (Hühnerhaus) through the Venn, mountains, waters and coast to fields, forests and nocturnal animals. On the gallery, animals from around the world can be seen; it also houses a "Waldschule" (forest school) for lessons.

The exhibition is hands-on: there is a discovery table, touch boxes, a drawer memory game, a crawl tunnel, and a station where animal tracks can be pressed into clay and taken home. The museum is recognized as an out-of-school learning site of the Städteregion Aachen. Young volunteers aged 11 to 14 act as "Junior Guides" and lead visitors through the exhibition on selected dates.

Highlights

• Over 1,000 specimens of native and exotic animals in habitats
• Discovery table, touch boxes and drawer memory game to try out
• Press animal tracks into clay and take them home
• Junior Guides lead visitors at eye level
• Open guided tours on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month

Permanent exhibitions

• Tierwelt in Lebensräumen – Across two floors, specimens of native animals are shown in habitats such as the farmyard, Venn, mountain landscape, waters, coast, fields and the nocturnal world, supplemented by hands-on stations.
• Tiere aus aller Welt auf der Empore – On the gallery stand specimens of foreign animals such as lion, giraffe, polar bear and kangaroo; in the middle is the "Waldschule" for lessons.

Founded

2013

Operated by

Kreisjägerschaft Aachen Stadt und Land e.V.

Admission & discounts

Cash and debit card payments are possible. With the Pirschpass, every fifth visit is free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• 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

Specimens may be touched; there are tactile and touch games as well as guided tours for people with disabilities.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children's birthday parties, guided tours and events are possible by arrangement. The discovery table, touch boxes, drawer memory game, crawl tunnel and pressing animal tracks into clay invite children to take part; Junior Guides (11 to 14 years) lead tours on selected dates.

Getting there & parking

Address: Burgau 15, 52156 Monschau; the Eifelsteig trail runs past the back of the building.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant

The museum is housed in the Handwerkermarkt building, which also has a glassworks, a miniature railway, shops and a restaurant.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit