Bündner Naturmuseum

About the museum

The roots of the Bündner Naturmuseum lie in the collections of Graubünden naturalists from the 19th and 20th centuries, which were first housed in the natural history cabinet of the cantonal school. In 1872 the natural history collection moved into the building of what is now the Rhaetian Museum, and in 1919 into the Villa Planta on Postplatz. A new building opened in 1929, the Sulserbau, served as an exhibition space, but the holdings continued to be stored in various neighbouring buildings.

Only a bequest from the geologist Moritz Blumenthal, who died in 1967, made it possible to bring all departments together under one roof. In 1976 construction began on Masanserstrasse of a new building designed by the architect Bruno Giacometti; the current exhibitions opened on 21 March 1981.

The permanent exhibition leads through the habitats and the geological history of Graubünden: from the fish and crayfish in the basement, through the native mammals on the ground floor and the diversity of species on the first floor, to geology, fossils and minerals on the top floors. In addition there are an extensive scientific collection, a library and species protection projects, for example on swifts.

Highlights

• Mammals of Graubünden from the weasel to the brown bear, including the only Swiss golden jackal in a natural history museum
• Butterfly wall and almost all bird species of the canton
• Aquariums with native fish and crayfish, as well as a microscope
• Fossils and dinosaur tracks, the smoky quartz "Jumbo" (73 kg) and mountain gold from the Val Sumvitg
• Researchers' laboratory and a children's module for hands-on exploring

Permanent exhibitions

• Säugetiere Graubündens – Taxidermy animals from the weasel to the brown bear, complemented by antlers, horns and a film on how to behave around livestock guardian dogs.
• Artenvielfalt – The diversity of the canton's plants and animals, with a butterfly wall, bird life and a researchers' laboratory for microscopy.
• Erdwissenschaften – Rock formation, the origin of the Alps, fossils and dinosaur tracks, as well as minerals from Graubünden.

Operated by

Kanton Graubünden

Director

Ueli Rehsteiner

Admission & discounts

Free admission: 1 August, 24 December and 31 December

Free admission for school classes and their teachers, for Raiffeisen members with MemberPlus status and for holders of the Swiss Museum Pass.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• 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 its website, the museum is fully wheelchair accessible. Pets are not allowed inside; there is a holder at the entrance for temporarily tying up dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

In the children's module, children can listen to animal sounds, feel objects, and draw and paint; in the researchers' laboratory, natural objects may be touched and examined under the microscope. The free children's city map leads to the three major Graubünden museums in Chur (children aged 5 to 12) and is available in the museum. For schools there is a museum suitcase on the topic of predators.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with books, soft toys, Schleich animal figurines and key rings.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit