Wereldbodemmuseum
Museum on the Wageningen campus with preserved soil profiles (monoliths) from around the world and free admission.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The World Soil Museum is part of ISRIC – World Soil Information and is located on the Wageningen campus. Its collection includes over 1,100 soil profiles from more than 90 countries. Such monoliths are vertical soil sections taken in the field and preserved with a binding agent; they show the structure, layering and texture of the soil much as in a pit in the field.
Most profiles were taken to a depth of 1.50 metres, impregnated with diluted lacquer or glue, and are about six centimetres thick. Collecting them is teamwork: a column of soil is exposed, enclosed in a wooden box, detached, wrapped in cloth and brought to ISRIC's workshop in Wageningen. The collection is considered unique and is also used to verify national datasets and to build global soil databases; ISRIC is the only World Data Centre for Soils in the ICSU World Data System.
The exhibition displays 80 monoliths representing the 32 Reference Soil Groups of the World Reference Base, arranged by the most important soil-forming factor and by themes such as land use and soil colour. A separate section is devoted to typical Dutch soils, which are popular with international guests as well as school classes.
Highlights
- Over 1,100 soil profiles from more than 90 countries in the collection
- 80 monoliths on display representing the 32 Reference Soil Groups of the world
- Dutch soils in the context of the landscape
- Free admission; guided tours for groups on request
- Virtual tour and online collection on the website
Permanent exhibition
- World Soil Reference Collection – 80 soil monoliths on display representing the 32 Reference Soil Groups, plus sections on land use, soil colour and Dutch soils.
- Founded
- 1966
- Operated by
- ISRIC – World Soil Information
- Director
- Stephan Mantel
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Groups (5+ people) | –Guided tours for groups of 5 to 30 people in English or Dutch: €37.50 for half an hour, €75 for one hour; longer tours on request. |
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Admission to the museum is free.
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
The exhibition room is on the first floor and can be reached by lift; adapted toilets in the hall of the main building (Gaia).
Kids & families
According to the museum, it is aimed at anyone who wants to learn more about soils; school classes (including primary school) particularly visit the section on Dutch soils.
Getting there & parking
On the Wageningen Campus in the Gaia building (101), Droevendaalsesteeg 3; campus map on the website.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
Eating and drinking are not allowed in the museum. There is a coffee machine at the entrance; the lunch kiosk Gaia-Lumen (Monday–Friday 10 am–1:30 pm) is located in the building.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
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| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours with specially trained guides on the history and purpose of the museum, part of the collection or a particular theme; groups of 5 to 30 people, duration variable, advance booking required. The museum is in the Gaia building (101) on the Wageningen Campus. |
