Municipal museum in the Ständehaus der Zauche, presenting Brandenburg's native wildlife across four floors, plus a cold-water aquarium.
December 11, 2025 – March 28, 2027
The exhibition presents Erna and Kurt Kretschmann, who designed the black owl on a yellow background as the emblem for protected areas 75 years ago, and shows the idea, design and spread of the emblem.
The building on Breite Straße was erected in 1770 to designs by Georg Christian Unger as the Ständehaus der Zauche and was heavily damaged in World War II. Today it houses the Naturkundemuseum of the state capital.
The museum's roots lie in the Städtisches Museum Potsdam, founded in 1909. It became a local history museum (Heimatmuseum) in 1953, later a district museum, and from 1982 the Potsdam-Museum with departments for nature and environment as well as history and art. After 1989 the collections were separated. On November 14, 2001, the Naturkundemuseum became an independent house.
The exhibitions show the species diversity of Brandenburg's insects, fish, birds and mammals, from the ladybird to the brown bear. In the basement, around 40 native fish species live in the cold-water aquarium, from the roach to the wels catfish. Special exhibitions also take up topics of wider scope.
| Adults | €4 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Pupils, trainees, students aged 19 and over, volunteers, people in voluntary service, people with severe disabilities (GdB 50 and above), recipients of Bürgergeld and Sozialgeld |
| Children & teens | €2free up to age 5 · Children and young people aged 6 to 18 |
| Seniors | –No senior discount |
| Visitors with disabilities | €3companion free · Reduced from GdB 50 |
| Students & apprentices | €3Students aged 19 and over |
| Groups (8+ people) | €3 per personAdults from 8 people; children and young people €1.50; registration requested |
| Families | €10Family ticket for 2 adults with up to 4 children or young people up to 18 years |
| Annual pass | €18Valid for 12 months, personal |
| MUSEUMKombikarte combined ticket (1 adult with 2 children or young people) | €14Valid for one visit each to the Naturkundemuseum, Filmmuseum, Brandenburg Museum and Potsdam Museum within one year. |
Free admission: Half the admission price on the first Monday of each month (Museum Monday)
Free admission for, among others, children up to 5 years, daycare and school groups, and members of the German Museums Association and ICOM. Two tickets for the price of one with the Ehrenamtskarte (volunteer card).
The main entrance is not barrier-free; wheelchairs and large strollers use the rear entrance in the museum courtyard, which has a platform lift. All exhibition areas are step-free; the ticket desk and event room are accessible only with a mobile ramp. Accessible parking space on Lindenstraße. 20 folding stools with a transport trolley available on request.
Great for kids & familiesRecommended for ages 5+
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €10 · Family ticket for 2 adults with up to 4 children or young people up to 18 years |
Offers for children aged 5 and up and for families; free rallies in the foyer; children's birthday parties with five themes; a free stroller to borrow at the cash desk.
Naturkundemuseum (Bus 695, 605)
Potsdam Hauptbahnhof (RE, RB, S-Bahn), about a 20-minute walk; tram 91, 92, 93, 96, 98, 99 to Alter Markt/Landtag; tram 91, 94, 98 to Feuerbachstraße; bus 695 and 605 to Naturkundemuseum.
Paid parking
Paid parking in front of the museum, plus parking garages at the Markt-Center and at Luisenplatz. Bus parking at Lustgarten, in front of the Filmmuseum and at Bassinplatz. Bicycle parking in the museum courtyard.
A 115, exit 6 Potsdam-Babelsberg, or A 10, exit 25 Potsdam-Nord, then continue toward the city center.
Get directionsMuseum shop in the foyer; seating in the foyer and in the museum courtyard for eating and drinking.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours and workshops for daycare centers and schools from 6 people (tour €2, workshop €4 per person); registration at least four weeks in advance at 0331 289-6706. Regular lectures and guided tours for adults. |
