Naturhistorisches Museum der Universität Zürich

About the museum

The Natural History Museum of the University of Zurich was formed in 2024 from the university's previous museums: according to the museum, the museums of anthropology, botany, palaeontology and zoology were merged into a single institution. It belongs to the Faculty of Science and is located in the university's main building, erected in 1914, on Karl-Schmid-Strasse, where the Zoological and Palaeontological Museums were already housed. In March 2024, the new museum was presented with four dinosaurs.

The exhibition shows over 1,500 animal specimens from around the world and from Switzerland, dinosaur models and skeletons, an exhibition on plant communication, and displays on the development of upright walking and on the Neanderthals. The core of the palaeontological exhibition is formed by the fossils from Monte San Giorgio in southern Ticino, a site on the UNESCO World Heritage List: they were recovered between 1924 and 1975 and have been prepared and studied in Zurich ever since. In the "Treasury", 50 fossils on permanent loan from the Sauriermuseum Aathal are on display.

The museum sees itself as a collection-based institution that communicates current research: it offers free Sunday tours, family workshops and evening lectures, receives over 900 school classes a year and has a core team of around 20 staff. The non-public main part of the zoological collection is stored at the University of Zurich-Irchel.

Highlights

• Over 1,500 animal specimens up close
• Fossils from the UNESCO World Heritage site Monte San Giorgio
• Dinosaur exhibition with a touchable Plateosaurus model
• Treasury with 50 "masterpieces" of nature
• Free admission, open until 8 p.m. on Thursday evenings
• Free Sunday tours and family workshops

Permanent exhibitions

• Dinosaurier hautnah erleben – Life-size dinosaurs, touchable reconstructions and scenes in the "Urwald der Dinosaurier" (Primeval Forest of the Dinosaurs) with Allosaurus and Hesperosaurus; an upright Plateosaurus model stands in the entrance area.
• Monte San Giorgio – The most important and most beautiful fossils from the UNESCO site in southern Ticino, above all marine reptiles of the Middle Triassic.
• Schatzkammer mit Masterpieces – In a copper-red room, the museum presents 50 particularly beautiful fossils not by age or species, but like works of art.

Founded

2024

Operated by

Universität Zürich (Mathematisch-naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free. Groups must register online before their visit (at least 48 hours in advance).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

The entrance is at ground level, almost all areas are wheelchair accessible, and a lift that can be used independently serves both floors. Wheelchair-accessible toilet (key at reception), folding chairs on request, seating. Marked guide and assistance dogs are allowed; free interactive museum bags with Braille descriptions and tactile materials, audio descriptions for orientation, and the tour "Im Urwald der Dinosaurier" for people with and without visual impairments; no tactile floor guidance system. Sunflower lanyards for people with invisible disabilities at reception; information about the OK:GO initiative.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Free family workshops on Sundays at 2 and 3 p.m. (about 1 hour, from age 5, no registration). Interactive museum bags to borrow free of charge at reception and the picture book "Clara, die kleine Elster" invite children to explore; the Plateosaurus model in the entrance may be touched. Children's birthday parties: 2 hours, maximum 10 children, CHF 250, on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in the main building of the University of Zurich above the city centre and can be reached on foot from the old town.

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