Naturkundemuseum Ostbayern

About the museum

The natural history collection goes back to the late 18th century. It was largely destroyed in a bombing raid in 1943. From 1947 reconstruction began, at first in a cemetery hall, and in 1961 the museum moved into its present home.

The building is the neoclassical Herzogspalais, also called the Württemberg Palace, built in 1804 to plans by Emanuel Herigoyen at the edge of the Herzogspark in the northwest of the old town. In the park itself there is a pond and a geological nature trail, which complement the museum's offerings outdoors.

The permanent exhibition "Der Naturraum Ostbayern in Vergangenheit und Gegenwart" (The Natural Region of Eastern Bavaria Past and Present) traces the geological development of the region up to its present habitats. The ground floor deals with the natural region and past living environments with fossils and rocks, the upper floors with today's habitats with numerous animal specimens. A cabinet of natural curiosities with a wooden library from 1790 recalls the beginnings of natural history collecting.

Since the beginning of 2026 the museum has belonged to the museum network of the City of Regensburg. The palace is to be repaired in the coming years and the permanent exhibition partly revised; until then the building is closed and shows individual exhibitions as guest appearances at other locations, for example in the Historisches Museum.

Highlights

• Earth history of eastern Bavaria with fossils and rocks
• Animal specimens on the region's present habitats
• Cabinet of natural curiosities with a wooden library from 1790
• Neoclassical Herzogspalais at the Herzogspark with a geological nature trail

Founded

1961

Operated by

Stadt Regensburg (Museen der Stadt Regensburg)

Admission & discounts

Prices from before the closure. No card payment. ICOM members free.

Accessibility

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

Wheelchair-accessible entrance on the south side (doorbell); almost all exhibition areas accessible, elevator 90 × 138 cm, accessible restroom on the second floor. Dogs only as assistance dogs after registration.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Kids’ birthday parties

Before the closure: children's birthday parties for up to 15 children (approx. 1.5–2 hours, book at least 4 weeks in advance), explorer boxes available for loan for children aged about 8 to 12, and a nature city game with a material bag (mid-April to early October). During the renovation, natural history programs in the Herzogspark have been announced.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A 93, exit Regensburg-West, toward the center.

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