Paläontologisches Museum München

About the museum

The Paläontologisches Museum is the public part of the Bayerische Staatssammlung für Paläontologie und Geologie (Bavarian State Collection of Paleontology and Geology), which belongs to the Staatliche Naturwissenschaftliche Sammlungen Bayerns (SNSB) and is closely linked with Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität. In the 19th century, researchers such as Johann Andreas Wagner, Albert Oppel, and Karl Alfred von Zittel shaped the collection and made Munich a center of paleontology.

The collection suffered heavy losses in World War II: an air raid in April 1944 destroyed, among other things, the dinosaur fossils discovered in Egypt by Ernst Stromer, including the type specimen of Spinosaurus.

Today the museum is housed in the former municipal school of applied arts on Richard-Wagner-Straße, an eclectic building by Leonhard Romeis from around 1900. The glass-roofed atrium holds large fossils from around the world, from Plateosaurus, Allosaurus, and Triceratops to the giant deer and the primeval elephant Gomphotherium. The third floor leads chronologically through the geological eras and their typical life forms, while the second floor is currently being redesigned. Among the most famous pieces is the only known specimen of Archaeopteryx bavarica from the Solnhofen limestone.

Highlights

• Archaeopteryx bavarica from the Solnhofen limestone
• Atrium with large fossils such as Plateosaurus, Allosaurus, and Triceratops
• Skeleton of the primeval elephant Gomphotherium from Mühldorf
• Ice Age mammals such as the giant deer, cave bear, and saber-toothed cat
• Free admission

Permanent exhibitions

• Großfossilien aus aller Welt – The atrium displays skeletons and casts of dinosaurs, pterosaurs, ichthyosaurs, and large Ice Age mammals.
• Vom Stromatolith zum Hamster – A chronological walk through all the geological eras and their typical life forms, on the third floor.

Operated by

Staatliche Naturwissenschaftliche Sammlungen Bayerns (SNSB)

Director

Alexander Nützel

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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

According to the SNSB, wheelchair-accessible with an elevator and accessible restroom.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

During school holidays, free family tours with scientists on Wednesdays at 14:00, no registration required. On Sundays, a children's quiz on the current exhibition with a small reward. Tours for daycare groups and schools through the MPZ. Free admission.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit