Biotopia

About the museum

Biotopia, formerly the Biologiska museet, was inaugurated on 10 November 1910 and opened to the public the following day. Showing animals in dioramas in their natural habitats was new at the time, and the museum is, by its own description, unique of its kind. It was created by Gustaf Kolthoff (1845–1913), curator at the zoological department of Uppsala University, who had previously helped found the Biologiska museet in Stockholm, together with Bruno Liljefors, in 1893.

The museum was given to Uppsala by an anonymous donor, who according to the museum’s own history was the wholesaler C. F. Liljewalch. The university declined the gift, so the town accepted it and took on its running. The museum has been run by Uppsala municipality ever since.

In 2004–2007 the museum was closed for a comprehensive renovation and reopened in October 2007 under the name Biotopia. The former basement became exhibition space, a large diorama was removed to make room for an assembly hall, and the dioramas were supplemented with sound, light and digital information. The original 1910 building and the dioramas are still in use. Today the focus is on Upland’s nature and on activities, especially at weekends and during school holidays.

Highlights

• Five dioramas of animals in different natural habitats from 1910
• Discovery area with aquarium, library, children’s corner and lab
• Free admission
• Activities for children at weekends and during school holidays
• The Butterfly Trail (Fjärilsstigen) and the Linnaeus trails (Linnéstigarna) outdoors

Permanent exhibitions

• Dioramor över Upplands natur – Five dioramas from 1910 showing animals in habitats of different natural types, supplemented with sound, light and digital information.
• Upptäckarmiljön – An environment on the ground floor with an aquarium, library, children’s corner and a lab with magnifying glass.

Founded

1910

Operated by

Uppsala kommun

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission to the museum.

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

Biotopia has a dedicated accessibility page and an accessibility statement on its website.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

The discovery area on the ground floor has an aquarium, library, children’s corner and a lab with magnifying glass. At weekends and during school holidays there are things to discover and make; the calendar includes, among others, Torsdagskul (Thursday fun) for 3–4-year-olds and Onsdagskvällar (Wednesday evenings).

Getting there & parking

The museum is next to Katedralskolan and Ekonomikum.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Café SystraMi serves coffee and snacks (fika) and lunch. The shop sells books, nature games, soft toys and experiment boxes.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 30 guests.

Non-profit associations with a connection to nature can hire the assembly room (30 people) on weekday evenings.

Plan your visit