Haus Ruhrnatur

About the museum

The Schleuseninsel (lock island) in the Ruhr near Mülheim originally formed naturally and was later reinforced and reshaped several times. At times a slaughterhouse stood here, and for many years also a building site for Ruhr barges (Ruhraaken), the typical cargo ships on the then heavily used river.

In the 1920s a boathouse made of Ruhr sandstone was built on the island, in which Mülheim schools kept their rowing boats. Later the Weiße Flotte (White Fleet) used the building as a utility room. At the end of the 1980s, the Rheinisch-Westfälische Wasserwerksgesellschaft (RWW) had the house completely converted into an interactive exhibition; shipping received its own annex. In 1992 Haus Ruhrnatur opened as an ecological station.

Since then the house has been a place of learning for schools and kindergartens as well as an excursion destination for families. The exhibition invites visitors to try things out: aquariums with fish of the Ruhr, microscopes for tiny organisms, touch, listening, and smelling stations, a rotating globe on climate history, and experiments with wind, sun, water wheels, and turbines. The offering is complemented by excursions to the Ruhr and tours of the neighboring RWW Kahlenberg hydroelectric power plant. Together with the Aquarius Wassermuseum, Haus Ruhrnatur is one of RWW's educational institutions.

Highlights

• Aquariums with fish of the Ruhr and microscopes for tiny organisms
• Virtually rotating globe on Earth's climate history
• Water basin with water wheels and turbines for experimenting
• Stations on bionics and renewable energies
• Location in the middle of the Ruhr on the Schleuseninsel
• Guided tours of the Kahlenberg hydroelectric power plant for groups

Permanent exhibitions

• Natur an der Ruhr – Aquariums with Ruhr fish, microscopes, a geological profile, and touch, listening, and scent stations make the river's ecosystem tangible.
• Klimageschichte und Energie der Erde – A rotating globe shows climate change over millions of years, and glowing cubes contrast humanity's energy reserves with its consumption.
• Erneuerbare Energien und Bionik – Experiments with wind, water, and sunlight as well as examples of how technology imitates inventions of nature.

Founded

1992

Operated by

RWW Rheinisch-Westfälische Wasserwerksgesellschaft mbH

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the RUHR.TOPCARD as well as for members of the Deutscher Museumsbund (German Museums Association) and ICOM.

Accessibility

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

The exhibition is not fully accessible; only the first floor with the accessible restrooms can be reached without steps.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Many hands-on stations: children and adults build and test wind turbines, experiment in the water basin with water wheels and turbines, and guess sounds and scents. Kindergarten groups (from age 5) can book a playful tour in which fish are fed and crayfish are petted. Children under 14 only when accompanied by adults.

Getting there & parking

By car, follow the parking guidance system toward the city center; signs to Haus Ruhrnatur and "Wasserbahnhof/Weiße Flotte" in the city area. Navigation coordinates: 51.42074° N, 6.87599° E.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Café Ruhrnatur (separate operator, information at cafe-ruhrnatur.de).

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit