GEOSKOP Urweltmuseum

About the museum

The Urweltmuseum GEOSKOP (Prehistoric World Museum) opened in August 1998 at Burg Lichtenberg near Kusel, one of the largest castle complexes in Germany. The modern museum building between the upper and lower castle was initially controversial because it stands out clearly from the historic buildings. The name combines the Greek word parts for earth and seeing: visitors are meant, so to speak, to look into the earth and thus into the past.

The museum is the earth science branch of the Pfalzmuseum für Naturkunde – POLLICHIA-Museum in Bad Dürkheim and is run by its special-purpose association. It was the first institution to present the rich fossil heritage of the Saar-Nahe region from the late Paleozoic to the public in one place.

On around 400 square meters on two floors, the permanent exhibition tells of a time when the Palatinate lay near the equator in a tropical mountain valley. Original fossils of sharks, amphibians and plants, large habitat images and a live preparation demonstration bring this world to life; highlights include bones of Germany's oldest reptiles from a nearby quarry. On the second floor there are display cases on geology and mining history, including a replica of a meteorite that fell in 1869, as well as space for changing special exhibitions. The offering is complemented by tours, research workshops, family meetups and lectures.

Highlights

• Bones of Germany's oldest saurians from the nearby area
• Fossils of freshwater sharks up to three meters long
• Large dioramas of the tropical prehistoric Palatinate about 300 million years ago
• Live preparation demonstration showing how fossils are uncovered
• Location at Burg Lichtenberg, combination ticket with the Musikantenland-Museum

Permanent exhibitions

• Als die Pfalz am Äquator lag – Fossils, dioramas and habitat images show plants and animals of a tropical mountain valley in the late Carboniferous and early Permian, including sharks, amphibians and early reptiles.

Founded

1998

Operated by

Zweckverband Pfalzmuseum für Naturkunde – POLLICHIA-Museum

Director

Dr. Sebastian Voigt

Admission & discounts

Payment by cash or EC/credit card. Tours: general tour €35, specialist scientific tour €55, each plus admission. Free admission with the PfalzCard.

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

Certified under "Reisen für Alle" (Travel for All). Accessible entrance, elevator between the two exhibition floors and wheelchair-accessible restroom in the museum. Accessible parking spaces at the castle entrance, about 200 m from the museum. Assistance dogs allowed.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Baby changing facilities: not available
• Kids’ birthday parties

FamilienTreffs (family meetups) with stories, fossils and hands-on activities for children aged 5 and over as well as research workshops during school holidays. Children's birthday parties (ages 5–13, 2 hours) on fossils, forests or spiders. No baby changing table of its own; on request, the seminar room can be used for changing and feeding.

Getting there & parking

Via the A62, exit Kusel (coming from Landstuhl) or Reichweiler (coming from Trier), then follow the signs for Kusel/Burg Lichtenberg.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Museum shop; lockers in the coat check area. At the castle: castle restaurant and seasonal kiosk. Eating and drinking not allowed in the exhibition rooms.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Meeting rooms in the GEOSKOP can be booked through the castle administration; conferences at the castle with up to 80 participants.

Plan your visit