Urwelt-Museum Hauff

About the museum

The foundation of the museum was laid by Bernhard Hauff Sr. (1866–1950), who found and prepared fossils in his father's slate quarry near Holzmaden. He developed methods that for the first time made it possible to expose the body outlines of ichthyosaurs, and supplied museums around the world; the University of Tübingen awarded him an honorary doctorate for it. In 1936/37, together with his son, the geologist Bernhard Hauff Jr., he set up the first Museum Hauff.

From 1967 to 1971, the present main building was constructed under the son, initially with about 450 square meters of exhibition space. The grandson Rolf Bernhard Hauff had the building expanded to about 1,000 square meters in the early 1990s, making it one of the largest private natural history museums in Germany. The fourth generation of the family now runs the museum, which is designated as a Geopoint of the UNESCO Geopark Swabian Alb.

On display are particularly well-preserved finds from the roughly 180-million-year-old Posidonia Shale of the area: ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs, marine crocodiles, pterosaurs, fish, ammonites and belemnites. Outstanding are a sea lily colony measuring 18 by 6 meters and a large profile of the rock layers. In the outdoor area stand life-size models of land-dwelling dinosaurs of the Jurassic.

Highlights

• World's largest prepared sea lily colony (18 x 6 m)
• Ichthyosaur mother with young
• Roughly 16-meter-long profile of the Posidonia Shale
• Dino park with life-size dinosaur models
• Excavation field for children outdoors

Permanent exhibitions

• Leben im Jurameer – Fossils from the Posidonia Shale of Holzmaden and Ohmden – from ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs to the huge sea lily colony – supplemented by models and media stations.
• Dinopark – In the outdoor grounds, eight life-size models of Jurassic dinosaurs stand by a lake among prehistoric plants.

Founded

1936

Operated by

Urwelt-Museum Hauff GmbH & Co. KG

Admission & discounts

Personal group tours (max. 30 people, approx. 45 minutes) €70 in German, €90 in English or French, in each case plus admission; on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays a €20 surcharge.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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

Only the ground floor is accessible. Dogs are not allowed, except guide dogs for the blind.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Life-size dinosaur models in the outdoor grounds and a sand excavation field where children uncover a dino skeleton (shovels and brushes at the ticket desk). Children's birthdays with a tour and programs in Prof. Hauff's children's workshop, open craft activities on selected days. The dino park is somewhat bumpy for strollers because of the natural stone paving.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A8 Stuttgart–Ulm, exit Aichelberg; brown signs to the museum.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

Cafeteria with coffee, cake, pretzels, snacks and, in summer, ice cream; museum shop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Private celebrations (birthdays, weddings) from 17:00, company parties for up to 50 participants, seminars, workshops and member meetings; technology and catering can be booked through partners.

Plan your visit