Natureum Niederelbe

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The Natureum Niederelbe was founded by the district of Stade and opened on July 6, 1990. It sits on an artificially built-up peninsula where the Oste flows into the Elbe, created during construction of the Oste storm surge barrier. The facility grew out of compensation measures agreed after the storm flood of 1962 and the dike building that followed on the Lower Elbe, which had cost the river a great deal of natural land.

Today a nonprofit operating company runs the museum; besides the district, its founding partners include the Natureum's friends' association and the Kreissparkasse Stade savings bank. The site is divided into several areas: the KüstenWelle entrance building houses the skeleton of a sperm whale along with aquariums and terrariums. The main building with its observation tower contains the permanent exhibitions, a gallery for photography and art shows, and rooms for temporary exhibitions.

The permanent exhibition on the Elbe estuary opened in 2013, the same year the Natureum received an award for its educational work as part of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. Around ten hectares (25 acres) of outdoor grounds, the ElbeKüstenPark, offer enclosures with heritage livestock breeds, observation points for migratory birds, a reconstructed Stone Age house and, in summer, a bee pavilion. Since 2017 a receiving station has collected telemetry data from tagged migratory birds. With a student lab, workshops and guided tours, the Natureum sees itself as an out-of-school place of learning for the coastal region between the Elbe and Weser rivers.

Highlights

• Sperm whale skeleton in the KüstenWelle entrance building
• Walk-through exhibition on the Elbe estuary, from the tidal Elbe to Helgoland
• Amber exhibition with inclusions, carvings and jewelry
• Aquariums and terrariums with native and exotic animals
• Around ten hectares of outdoor grounds with livestock breeds and birdwatching
• Observation tower overlooking the mouth of the Oste

Permanent exhibitions

• Lebensader Elbstrom – Brücke zwischen den Welten – A walk-through staging of the Elbe estuary and its wildlife and plant life, from bird migration and fish migration to the river's importance for world trade.
• Bernstein – Gold der Küste – The exhibition explains how amber forms, where it is found and how it is worked, and displays inclusions, carvings and pieces of jewelry.
• KüstenZoo – Aquariums and terrariums with fish, reptiles, crustaceans and insects, plus outdoor enclosures with otters and heritage livestock breeds such as Skudde sheep and Schleswig coldblood horses.

Founded

1990

Operated by

Betriebsgesellschaft Natureum Niederelbe gUG (haftungsbeschränkt)

Director

Lars Lichtenberg (Geschäftsführer)

Admission & discounts

Main-season prices (March 22 – November 1); in the off-season adults €9, reduced/children €5, family €22. Short visit for the café or shop: if you present your signed ticket at the ticket desk within one hour, your admission is refunded. Card payment (EC/debit card) accepted.

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

Most of the grounds are accessible; upper floors (except the tower) can be reached via ramps. Accessible restrooms in the entrance building and the main building. Visitors with limited mobility may drive by car or bus up to the central exhibition building.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

Playground with bouncy cushions and a children's play house in the ElbeKüstenpark, animal encounters at the KüstenZoo and hands-on activities on the grounds. Bookable programs for groups and children's birthday parties, for example an animal program from age 3, Stone Age from age 5 and nature exploration with stick bread from age 6. Baby changing tables in the entrance and main buildings.

Getting there & parking

Visitors with walking difficulties may be driven by car or bus right up to the central exhibition building.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Lockers

Café & bistro with regional dishes, museum shop (also online). Lockers with a €5 deposit, e-bike charging station.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

Up to 80 guests.

Group rooms for celebrations of up to 80 people, with an accompanying program on request.

Plan your visit