Vienna Natural History Museum

The museum building itself, which opened in 1889, is the identical twin of the Art History Museum which faces it across Maria Theresia Platz.

Discover the museum

The Natural History Museum's exhibitions are divided between two floors: the lower floor is dedicated to Europe's most extensive collection of precious stones, minerals, and even meteorites, as well as a number of displays surrounding prehistoric culture, the evolution of humankind, and paleontological discoveries. The famous Venus of Willendorf, a figurine estimated to be 30,000 years old, is on display here.

On the upper floor, visitors can explore a huge collection of different animal species, including insects, birds, and mammals. Not only do these exhibitions provide a fascinating insight into the history of taxidermy over the centuries, but they also give us the opportunity to see now-extinct creatures such as Steller's sea cow.

To celebrate the museum's 125th anniversary, a new Digital Planetarium was opened. Its projection technology gives visitors the chance to take awe-inspiring virtual journeys across the Milky Way galaxy in incredible scientific detail.

One of the best

Like all of Vienna's museums, the Natural History Museum is a popular destination for both tourists and locals alike.

What's more, it's also home to over 60 full-time scientists who carry out research into a wide range of topics related to human, earth, and life sciences, and it's therefore considered one of the most important natural museums in the world.