Mineralogisches Museum Würzburg

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The University of Würzburg acquired its first minerals as early as 1791–1793. In 1803 the natural history professor Bonavita Blank handed over his collection of minerals and art in exchange for a life annuity; the resulting cabinet of art and minerals in the Alte Universität (Old University) quickly became a popular attraction and grew through numerous donations.

In 1903 the collection moved into the new building of the Mineralogical and Geological Institute on what is now Pleicherwall. During World War II and the postwar years it suffered heavy losses through evacuation, destruction and looting, and afterward remained closed to the public for about three decades.

The museum reopened in February 1978 in the institute's new building on the Hubland campus, celebrating the occasion with a moon rock sample on loan from NASA. Rooms on raw materials and ore deposits were added in the 1980s, followed in 1992 by an inner courtyard covered with a glass pyramid for special exhibitions. Today the collection comprises more than 10,000 objects, about a quarter of which are on display in four exhibition rooms covering some 490 square meters.

Highlights

• More than 10,000 minerals, rocks and meteorites
• Minerals glowing under UV light
• Peter C. Ruppert Collection on historic ore deposits in the Harz Mountains
• Changing special exhibitions beneath the glass pyramid
• Hands-on material and models on volcanism and the structure of the Earth

Permanent exhibitions

• Dauerausstellung – Chemical elements in the form of minerals, meteorites, rocks and mineral raw materials, plus the Ruppert, Schröder and Wachter collections, complemented by a changing Mineral of the Quarter.

Operated by

Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (Lehrstuhl für Geodynamik und Geomaterialforschung)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission (except for special events); donations welcome. Children's birthday parties (treasure hunt, sensory trail, Minecraft theme, 1.5–2 hours): flat rate of €80 for up to 10 people, €2–3 for each additional person, max. 15.

Accessibility

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

The website offers a summary in Easy Language (Leichte Sprache) and sign language videos. The first floor is said to be wheelchair-accessible; please check with the museum before your visit.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Family activity Sundays four times a year. Children's birthday parties (about 1.5–2 hours) as a treasure hunt (ages 8–14), a sensory trail with minerals to touch (from age 5) or a Minecraft rock program (from age 9); programs for kindergartens and schools.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop in the entrance area with catalogs, minerals and jewelry. Family activity Sundays four times a year.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit