Museum Heineanum
Ornithology museum on Halberstadt's Domplatz with one of the largest ornithological collections of the 19th century – closed for redesign until fall 2027.
About the museum
The museum's foundation is the bird collection of the Halberstadt bailiff and estate owner Ferdinand Heine (1809–1894), considered the largest private ornithological collection of the 19th century. It received its name through a multi-volume catalog published between 1850 and 1863. The Heineanum has existed as a public museum since 1909.
The museum is located on Domplatz in a wing of a former canon's residence. The holdings comprise around 34,000 objects, including about 11,500 bird skins from Heine's collection, a large egg collection with over 35,000 eggs, more than 2,000 hummingbirds, as well as specimens of extinct bird species. In addition there are mammal skins, skeletons, and an ornithological specialist library considered the most important in Saxony-Anhalt. A particular eye-catcher is two mounted dinosaur skeletons – a Plateosaurus and a Plesiosaurus – found around 1900 in clay pits within the city area.
The Heineanum is also a research site: the Red Kite Center works at the museum, which among other things tracks red kites fitted with transmitters. Since October 1, 2026, the permanent exhibition has been closed. By fall 2027 at the earliest, a new exhibition with listening stations, hands-on activities, and digital additional information is being created; at the same time, an elevator or platform lift and a ramp are being installed to make the building more accessible.
Highlights
- Ferdinand Heine's bird collection from the 19th century
- Over 2,000 hummingbird specimens
- Specimens of extinct bird species
- Skeletons of a Plateosaurus and a Plesiosaurus from Halberstadt
- Large egg collection
- Founded
- 1909
- Operated by
- Stadt Halberstadt
- Director
- Rüdiger Becker
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5School pupils, apprentices, students, volunteer service participants, recipients of unemployment benefit I (ALG I), people with severe disabilities (degree of disability 50 or higher), groups of 10 or more, holders of the Sozialpass, the Halberstadt guest card (HATIX), or the combined ticket of the Halberstadt museums |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Children and young people up to 18 years free. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €5companion free · Reduction from a degree of disability of 50. |
| Students & apprentices | €5 |
| Groups (10+ people) | €5 per personReduced admission for groups of 10 or more. |
Free admission: Free admission for adults on the last Friday of every month.
Prices for regular exhibition operation; surcharge for special exhibitions up to €4. During the closure, admission to events is by donation. Free admission including with the HarzCard, the Kulturpass of the city of Halberstadt, for recipients of transfer benefits, new residents of Halberstadt, and members of professional associations and friends' circles. Combined ticket of the Halberstadt museums: valid for 12 months, full price at the first museum, reduced at all others.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: not available
- 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: no information
- Audio description: no information
Previously without accessible entry; as part of the redesign by fall 2027, a ramp to the first floor and a lift to the second floor will be built, as well as information at seated and standing height.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
Children and young people up to 18 years have free admission. Museum education projects and events for children continue during the closure; the new exhibition is to include hands-on stations.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Tours on request from the museum management (tel. 03941 551460); inquiries about museum education activities at 03941 551463. |
