Zoologisches Museum Kiel

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The zoological collections of Kiel University date back to the 17th century: in 1674 the physician Johann Daniel Major set up the “Museum Cimbricum,” which, however, was sold after his death. The official founding year is considered to be 1775, when Johann Christian Fabricius, a student of Linnaeus, built up a natural history collection in Kiel; his famous insect collections later passed to the university.

In the 19th century, under Wilhelm Behn, the collection was transformed into a zoological museum and greatly expanded with material from the Danish Galathea circumnavigation. Together with the Berlin architects Martin Gropius and Heino Schmieden, the zoologist Karl August Möbius developed an innovative museum building: opened in 1881, it was the first to separate a light-filled public exhibition hall from non-public research storerooms, and it became a model for many natural history museums.

During World War II the museum was closed in 1940 and the building was hit by bombs. As early as August 1946, part of the exhibition could be shown again. From the 1980s onward the building was thoroughly renovated, the permanent exhibitions were redesigned, and the collections were scientifically catalogued and later digitized.

Today the museum of Kiel University (Christian-Albrechts-Universität) combines historic original specimens with current marine and evolutionary research, for example in joint exhibitions with GEOMAR. Its focal points include whales, the Baltic Sea, the deep sea and the importance of natural history collections for biodiversity research.

Highlights

• Listed Gropius building of 1881 with its central whale hall
• Twelve original whale skeletons, including a 14-meter sperm whale
• Giant squid Architeuthis in the deep-sea exhibition created with GEOMAR
• Specimens of extinct species and historic collections of Fabricius and Möbius
• Ichthyosaur around 185 million years old

Permanent exhibitions

• Wale in Schleswig-Holstein – Twelve original skeletons of whales from local waters, including a sperm whale bull 14 meters long.
• Tiefsee – Exhibition created together with GEOMAR on deep-sea life, with rare original objects such as a giant squid.
• Sammlungen – Archive des Lebens – New permanent exhibition on the role of natural history collections, from conservation to research on biodiversity and environmental change.

Founded

1775

Operated by

Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel

Director

Dr. Dirk Brandis

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the Kiel-Pass, for refugees and, preferentially, for low-income visitors with proof. Tickets on site only, cash payment only.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: not available
• 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

Listed building; all floors, including the first floor, can only be reached via stairs; not accessible for wheelchair users. Virtual 3D tours of most permanent exhibitions online. Educational programs for visually impaired people. Guide and assistance dogs allowed.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Kids’ birthday parties

Tours for children and families where originals such as a shark skull or a sperm whale tooth may be touched; children's birthday parties for up to 12 children (inquiries by email). Strollers must stay in the entrance hall and are not allowed in the exhibition.

Getting there & parking

Because parking is scarce, the museum recommends arriving by bus, Förde ferry, or bicycle.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant: not available
• Coat check
• Lockers

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit