Zentralmagazin Naturwissenschaftlicher Sammlungen

About the museum

The Zentralmagazin Naturwissenschaftlicher Sammlungen (ZNS) of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg looks after the university's natural history collections, which go back more than 250 years of collecting and research. It is based at Domplatz 4 in a late classicist building that was constructed in 1839 as the university's surgical clinic. The collections under its care include the Zoological Collection, the Haustierkundliche Sammlung (domestic animal studies collection), the Geiseltal Collection, and the geoscience collections.

The Zoological Collection, housed on three floors of the building, is the main attraction to see. It comprises about two and a half million specimens, several thousand type specimens, and pieces of extinct animal species. Known highlights include dried fish from the Goldhagen natural history cabinet, Burmeister's South American collection, and the large bird egg collection of Schönwetter. Visitors see the collection only on public guided tours or after booking for groups. The Geiseltalmuseum and the Museum für Haustierkunde Julius Kühn have their own locations and their own entries.

Highlights

• Historic Zoological Collection with about 2.5 million specimens
• Type specimens and specimens of extinct animal species
• Dried fish from the Goldhagen natural history cabinet
• Schönwetter bird egg collection
• Free public guided tours every Thursday

Permanent exhibition

• Zoologische Sammlung – The university's historic display collection of specimens from over 250 years, accessible on public guided tours.

Operated by

Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

All tours and events are free of charge.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• 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

The Zoological Collection is currently not barrier-free.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Offers for children's and youth groups and schools are available on request from museum education.

Getting there & parking

The meeting point for tours is the main entrance at Domplatz 4 in Halle (Saale).

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit