Goldfuß-Museum

About the museum

The museum is named after the naturalist Georg August Goldfuß (1782–1848), who was appointed when the University of Bonn was founded in 1818, pushed for the natural science institutes to be housed in Poppelsdorf Palace, and directed the natural history museum there until his death. In 1882 this museum was divided into zoological, mineralogical and paleontological departments.

In 1911 the paleontological collection moved into the newly built Institute of Geology and Paleontology at Nußallee 8. The institute's first director, Gustav Steinmann, set up a museum on the raised ground floor, which was initially accessible only by appointment and did not open regularly to all interested visitors until the early 1990s. The systematic display collection, in historic cabinet style with tables and showcases from 1911, is one of the few surviving halls of its kind in Germany.

The collection comprises around 350,000 macrofossils, of which about 1,500 were on display, including ichthyosaurs, a plesiosaur and many finds from the Rhineland; more than 20 special exhibitions have been held since 1989. On August 7, 2023, the museum closed for the renovation of the institute building. It is to reopen at its old location with a new concept that will, among other things, show more ichthyosaurs and preserve the historic showcases. Until then, it maintains a presence in schools, daycare centers and at events with the format “Goldfuß-Museum unterwegs” (Goldfuß Museum on the Road).

Highlights

• Systematic display collection in historic cabinet style with showcases from 1911
• Ichthyosaur and plesiosaur skeletons
• Around 350,000 macrofossils, many from the Rhineland
• Named after Georg August Goldfuß, a paleontologist from Bonn's first generation of professors

Founded

1882

Operated by

Universität Bonn, Institut für Geowissenschaften (Sektion Paläontologie)

Director

Prof. Dr. Thomas Martin (kommissarische Leitung)

Admission & discounts

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Accessibility

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Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

During the closure, paleontology reading sessions and Rhine pebble tours for children, including at Poppelsdorf Palace; programs for daycare groups and schools on request.

Getting there & parking

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Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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Plan your visit