A Journey Through Time and Space at the Natural History Museum Vienna

The Natural History Museum Vienna is one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive natural history museums. It houses a vast collection of over 30 million specimens, including dinosaurs, fossils, minerals, meteorites, and artifacts from around the world. The museum is a must-visit for science lovers of all ages. 

Permanent Exhibits at the Natural History Museum Vienna

The Natural History Museum Vienna has a wide variety of permanent exhibits. These exhibits showcase the diversity of life on Earth, from the tiniest insects to the largest mammals and from the earliest single-celled organisms to the rise of humans. The exhibits are well-curated and informative, offering visitors a fascinating glimpse into the natural world. 

Dinosaur Exhibit at the Natural History Museum Vienna

The Dinosaur Exhibit at the Natural History Museum Vienna captivates visitors with its spectacular collection of dinosaur skeletons, including a Tyrannosaurus Rex and a Stegosaurus. This crowd-pleasing exhibit is organized into different sections, each highlighting a specific era in dinosaur evolution.

The earliest section showcases dinosaurs from the Triassic era, which thrived approximately 250 million years ago. These early dinosaurs were relatively small and primitive, marking the advent of bipedal locomotion in this species.

Moving forward in time, the subsequent section presents dinosaurs from the Jurassic era, which existed around 200 million years ago. These creatures were significantly more extensive and more diverse than their Triassic counterparts. The Jurassic display features some of the most renowned dinosaurs like the Tyrannosaurus Rex and Triceratops.

The exhibit concludes with a section dedicated to dinosaurs from the Cretaceous period, dating back to about 145 million years ago. These were among the last dinosaurs to walk on Earth and included some of the largest known species, such as Brachiosaurus and Diplodocus.

Besides dinosaur skeletons, this exhibit also boasts an array of other attractions, including fossils, models, interactive displays, and even a life-sized animatronic Allosaurus that moves and roars to provide an immersive experience for visitors.

The Dinosaur Exhibit is an intriguing destination for individuals interested in dinosaur history. It’s an absolute must-see for science enthusiasts across all age groups.

Global Mineral Exhibit

The Global Mineral Exhibit is a top attraction at the museum, showcasing an extensive array of minerals worldwide. With over 100,000 specimens on display, it is considered one of the most comprehensive mineral collections globally.

The exhibit is strategically organized into separate sections, each dedicated to a unique category of minerals. These sections include:

• Systеmatic Minеralogy: This section presents minerals categorized by their chemical compositions.

• Economic Gеology: This area displays economically valuable minerals like gold, silver, and copper.

• Gеmstonеs: Here, visitors can admire precious and semi-precious stones such as diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.

• Orе Dеposits: This section offers samples of ore deposits – the natural sources of minerals.

• Fossil Minеrals: This part exhibits minerals preserved in fossils.

The Global Mineral Exhibit provides an engaging environment to explore mineral diversity and its significance in our natural world. It’s a must-see for anyone with an interest in geology or mineralogy.

Opened to public viewing in 1889, the collection is systematically arranged to facilitate learning about different types of minerals and their properties. The exhibit also includes interactive elements that offer a hands-on learning experience for visitors.

Due to its educational value, the Global Mineral Exhibit is a favorite among school groups and other educational institutions.

Meteorite Exhibit at the Natural History Museum Vienna

The Meteorite Exhibit is a crowd-pleasing attraction at the Natural History Museum Vienna, featuring an impressive collection of meteorites. This includes the largest meteorite ever discovered in Europe, weighing over 650 kilograms.

The exhibit is thoughtfully partitioned into several sections, each highlighting a unique aspect of meteorites. The introductory section provides visitors with fundamental knowledge about meteorites – what they are, their formation process, and classification methods.

The next part of the exhibit showcases a wide array of meteorites from across the globe. These specimens are displayed in diverse ways, including individual samples, grouped meteorites, and meteorite falls.

The final section delves into the history of meteorite research. It houses exhibits on the earliest known meteorite discoveries, the evolution of meteorite classification systems, and how these celestial objects have been used in scientific research.

The Meteorite Exhibit offers an intriguing opportunity to learn about these enigmatic space objects. It’s a must-see for those interested in natural phenomena or scientific history.

Renovated and reopened in 2012, this exhibit boasts over 1,100 meteorites, including 650 unique types. Additionally, it features a meteorite radar station used to monitor meteors’ movements in the sky. The exhibit is conveniently located on the mezzanine level of the Natural History Museum Vienna.

Prehistoric Exhibit at the Natural History Museum Vienna

The Prehistoric Exhibit, located in the Natural History Museum Vienna, is a crowd favorite. It showcases an extensive array of human history artifacts from significant periods like the Paleolithic, Neolithic, and Bronze Age.

Some key attractions of this exhibit include:

• The Venus of Willendorf: This 25,000-year-old female figurine is among the most renowned prehistoric art pieces.

• The Bull of Býčí Skála: This 30,000-year-old limestone relief depicting a bull is a crucial example of prehistoric cave art.

• The Dagger of Maiersdorf: A 10,000-year-old flint dagger that stands out as an exquisite example of prehistoric metalwork.

• The cone-necked Vessels of Sopron: These 10,000-year-old ceramic vessels are among Europe’s earliest pottery examples.

In addition to these artifacts, the Prehistoric Exhibit also features several interactive displays that provide insights into various aspects of prehistoric life. These include:

• A Paleolithic cave replica for exploration.
• A walk-through model depicting a Neolithic village.
• A demonstration showcasing flint tool creation.

For those intrigued by early human history periods, the Prehistoric Exhibit offers an enriching learning experience and is an absolute must-see.

Situated on the museum’s mezzanine level, this exhibit is organized into three primary sections – Paleolithic, Neolithic, and Bronze Age. Designed by architect Karl von Hasenauer and opened to the public in 1889, it fascinates visitors with its rich historical content.

Human Evolution and Culture Exhibits In Anthropology Hall

The Human Evolution and Culture Exhibit in the Natural History Museum Vienna houses over 60,000 specimens. These artifacts provide a comprehensive overview of human evolution and cultural diversity. The exhibit is bifurcated into two sections: one dedicated to tracing human evolution from our earliest ancestors to modern humans and the other highlighting varied global human cultures.

Key attractions of the Anthropology Hall include:

• The Venus of Willendorf: This 25,000-year-old female figurine is among the most renowned prehistoric art pieces.

• Neanderthal Man’s Skeleton: This exhibit features one of the most complete Neanderthal skeletons ever discovered.

• Global Mask Collection: A captivating display of masks from various cultures worldwide.

• African Village Diorama: This display offers visitors an insight into traditional African community life.

The Human Evolution and Culture Exhibit provides a captivating exploration of human evolutionary history and cultural diversity. Its well-curated, informative exhibits offer visitors a unique perspective into humanity’s past and present civilizations.

Temporary Exhibitions

The rotating exhibits at the Natural History Museum Vienna offer a fresh perspective on various topics, presenting some of the most intriguing specimens from the museum’s extensive collection. These exhibits also provide insights into the museum’s ongoing efforts to explore and understand our natural world.

• “Brazil: 200 Years of Relations”: This exhibit delves into the historical ties between Austria and Brazil, tracing their journey from early exploration days to contemporary times. It features artifacts from both nations and provides information about Brazil’s diverse cultures, peoples, and natural landscapes.
• “Radiation Damage”: This exhibit investigates radiation’s impact on living organisms, ranging from tiny microbes to large mammals. It showcases specimens affected by radiation and provides information about how radiation can lead to health conditions like cancer.
• “ARCTIC: The Changing Polar World”: This exhibit focuses on the Arctic region and its evolving environment. It displays Arctic specimens and explains how climate change impacts this polar region.
• “Insides”: Offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the Natural History Museum Vienna, this exhibit features images and videos of the museum’s collections while providing insights into the work that happens backstage.

These are just a few examples of rotating exhibits hosted by the Natural History Museum Vienna. With new exhibitions regularly introduced, checking their website for current displays is always worthwhile.

Educational Resources for Children and Adults

The Natural History Museum Vienna offers an enriching learning environment for individuals of all ages. Its educational resources are interactive, engaging, and designed to make learning about the natural world enjoyable and meaningful.

Here’s a look at some of the educational offerings for children and adults at the Natural History Museum Vienna:

• Audio Guides: Available in multiple languages like English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, and Russian, these guides provide detailed information about exhibits and interactive activities to enhance visitors’ understanding of nature.

• Touch Tables: These tables allow visitors to engage with specimens physically, offering a tactile learning experience about various aspects of the natural world.

• Trails: The museum features several tracks that guide visitors through different facets of nature. These trails are equipped with interactive activities and games and cater to both children and adults.
• Workshops: Covering topics such as dinosaurs, fossils, and meteorites, these workshops offer engaging ways to learn about nature. They provide an enjoyable hands-on experience for learners of all ages.
• Educational Programs: Designed for schools and other groups, these programs provide immersive learning experiences through hands-on activities and interactive exhibits. 

These resources make the Natural History Museum Vienna a dynamic space to explore and understand the wonders of our natural world.

Good To Know About Natural History Museum

Here is some information about the location, accessibility, prices, opening hours, and other helpful information about the Natural History Museum Vienna:

• Location: Situated in the Museum Quarter, the Natural History Museum Vienna is just a short stroll from the city center. It’s located at Maria-Theresien-Platz 1, 1010 Vienna, Austria.

• Accessibility: The museum caters to visitors with disabilities by providing ramps at the main entrance and elevators throughout the premises. Accessible restrooms and parking spots are also available.
• Ticket Pricing: Adult tickets are priced at €12, while students and senior citizens can avail of discounted rates at €10. Children between 6-18 years can enter for €5. A family ticket is available for €25. Admission is free for children under six years old.
• Operating Hours: The museum welcomes visitors from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, Tuesday through Sunday. It remains closed on Mondays and public holidays.
• Additional Facilities: The museum houses a café, restaurant, and gift shop for visitors’ convenience. It also features a library and research center within its premises.

Before planning your visit, it’s always advisable to check their official website for any changes or updates in this information.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Natural History Museum Vienna has various exhibits ranging from dinosaur skeletons to mineral collections, meteorites, and early human artifacts. It is one of the city’s treasure troves for science enthusiasts. Interspersed with interactive elements and informative audio guides, the museum promises a rich educational experience for visitors of all age groups. As one of the top Vienna attractions, this museum takes you on a captivating journey through different stages of Earth’s history, human development, and cultural diversity. So, if you find yourself in Vienna, take advantage of an opportunity to explore the intriguing world of natural science at this iconic museum.