Urzeithof Museum und Hofcafé

About the museum

It began with the collecting passion of the founder, who as a child pushed a wheelbarrow across the fields of her home village of Fehrenbötel, searching for fossils. Over the decades this grew into a large collection of fossils, minerals and animal specimens. In 2010 she fulfilled her dream of a museum of her own in a barn in Fehrenbötel. Collectors and institutions donated exhibits, display cases and equipment, a team of volunteers formed, and partnerships developed, including with the school in Trappenkamp and the geology study group of Kiel University.

The location soon proved unsuitable: the exhibition was on the upper floor and could only be reached by stairs, and the display cases wobbled whenever tractors or trucks drove over the cobblestones in front of the barn. In 2018 an opportunity arose to acquire a site in Stolpe. Since June 22, 2019, the museum and a farm café have had their home there.

The exhibition follows the geological eras in chronological order, from meteorites and billion-year-old stromatolites through trilobites, ammonites and amber to mammoth teeth and an Ice Age cave bear. All the fossils shown are originals; there are no replicas. The display cases are designed in steampunk style, inspired by the novels of Jules Verne. The house aims to convey scientific knowledge to a broad public.

Highlights

• Chronological journey from meteorites and stromatolites to the Ice Age
• Complete psittacosaur and Ice Age cave bear
• Only original fossils, no replicas
• Atmospheric steampunk design of the display cases
• Fossil site to search yourself and a sand area for collecting gemstones
• Farm café on the grounds

Permanent exhibition

• Naturkundliche Ausstellung zur Erdgeschichte – Chronological tour through the geological eras with original fossils, meteorites, amber and an Ice Age cave bear in steampunk display cases.

Founded

2010

Operated by

Urzeithof Museumsstiftung e.V.

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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 house, the museum is designed to be low-barrier so that visitors can experience the exhibition regardless of their mobility.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

After visiting the museum, children can search for fossils themselves at the fossil site and collect small gemstones in the sand area; workshops and markets make the visit a family experience.

Getting there & parking

By car from Hamburg via the A 21, exit Wankendorf; from Kiel via the B 404, just under 20 km; likewise from Neumünster (B 430), Plön (B 430) and Bad Segeberg (A 21).

Amenities & dining

• Café

Urzeithof Café & Bistro on the grounds (its own website).

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit