Museum of Natural History Vienna
Vienna
Located on the magnificent Ringstrasse, directly opposite the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Art History), the NHM is housed in a stunning, late 19th-century palace that is a work of art in itself. A visit here is not merely a museum experience but an immersion into a grand and encyclopedic collection, a testament to the scientific and cultural ambitions of the Habsburg Empire.
A Storied Past: From Imperial Collection to Public Institution
The origins of the NHM can be traced back to the extensive private collections of the Habsburg emperors. The first seeds were sown in 1748 when Emperor Franz I Stephen, husband of Empress Maria Theresa, purchased one of the world's largest and most famous natural history collections from the Florentine scholar and scientist Jean de Baillou. This collection formed the foundation of the Imperial and Royal Cabinet of Natural Curiosities. As the empire grew, so did its scientific and exploratory endeavors, and the collection expanded exponentially. Significant additions came from various expeditions, most notably the circumnavigation of the globe by the frigate SMS Novara between 1857 and 1859, which brought back a wealth of zoological, botanical, and geological specimens.
By the mid-19th century, the collections had outgrown their existing spaces in the Hofburg Palace. Emperor Franz Joseph I commissioned the construction of two monumental buildings to house the imperial art and natural history collections, both designed by the renowned architects Gottfried Semper and Carl Hasenauer. The NHM building was inaugurated in 1889, a perfect symmetrical twin to its art history counterpart. The palace itself, with its ornate façade, grand staircase, and domed roof topped by a statue of Helios, the Greek sun god, serves as a fitting home for a collection dedicated to the wonders of the natural world.
The Grand Tour: A Floor-by-Floor Overview of Key Exhibits
The NHM's collection is vast, comprising over 30 million objects. The museum is intelligently organized, with exhibits arranged across multiple floors, each dedicated to a specific scientific discipline.
Ground Floor: The Earth and Its Minerals
Upon entering the grand foyer, visitors are immediately drawn to the central dome, which features an impressive display. The ground floor is primarily dedicated to the geosciences.
Hall 1: The Meteorite Collection. This is arguably one of the most significant collections in the world. The hall houses over 1,100 meteorites, including a spectacular piece from the Hoba meteorite, the largest single meteorite on Earth. Interactive displays explain how meteorites are formed, where they come from, and how they have impacted our planet's history. A highlight is the 'Tissint' meteorite, which fell in Morocco in 2011 and is one of only five meteorites observed to fall to Earth from Mars. The sheer variety of sizes, shapes, and compositions is awe-inspiring and provides a tangible link to the cosmos.
Hall 2-5: The Mineral and Gem Collections. The NHM's mineralogy department is world-renowned. Visitors will encounter a stunning array of crystals, from dazzling quartz and amethyst geodes to rare and unusual formations. The displays are a visual feast, showcasing the incredible beauty and diversity of Earth's geological processes. The "Giant Quartz" from Brazil is a must-see, and the gem collection, including the famous 'Habsburg Diamond,' is particularly impressive. The 'bouquet of Empress Maria Ludovica' made entirely of gold and diamonds is a true showstopper.
Hall 6-8: Geology. These halls delve into the history of Earth itself. Exhibits cover plate tectonics, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountains and landscapes. It's a great place to understand the dynamic forces that have shaped our planet over billions of years. The "Uranium Ore" exhibit is a sobering reminder of the planet's hidden powers.
First Floor: A Walk Through the History of Life
The first floor is where the museum truly comes alive with its famous dinosaur skeletons and impressive zoological displays.
Hall 9-11: Dinosaur Hall and Prehistoric Life. This is a major highlight for all visitors, especially families. The Dinosaur Hall is home to a magnificent full-size skeleton of a Diplodocus, a towering centerpiece that dominates the space. Surrounding it are skeletons and models of other prehistoric giants, including an Allosaurus and an Iguanodon. The exhibits explain the rise and fall of these magnificent creatures, the different periods of the Mesozoic Era, and the evolution of life on Earth. The lifelike models and fossilized remains bring this lost world to life in a way that is both educational and thrilling.
Hall 12-20: Zoological Exhibits. The rest of the first floor is dedicated to the zoology collections, which are presented in a traditional, cabinet-of-curiosities style. The sheer number of specimens is staggering.
The Mammals: Halls dedicated to mammals feature a stunning variety of taxidermied animals from all over the world. The African Safari diorama, with its lions, giraffes, and elephants, is particularly well-known. You'll also see everything from polar bears and big cats to a vast collection of primates.
The Birds: The bird halls are a riot of color and form, showcasing species from every continent. The displays highlight the incredible diversity of avian life, from hummingbirds to ostriches.
The Insects and Invertebrates: This collection is immense. Visitors can marvel at the intricate patterns of butterflies, the bizarre forms of beetles, and the strange beauty of deep-sea invertebrates.
Fish, Reptiles, and Amphibians: A captivating section that displays a wide range of aquatic and terrestrial creatures. The preserved specimens of snakes, lizards, and other reptiles are particularly fascinating.
The Mezzanine: Anthropology and Prehistory
The mezzanine level provides a look at the history of humanity and its development.
Hall 21-25: Prehistory and Archaeology. This is a fascinating journey through human history, from the Stone Age to the Iron Age. The collection features artifacts from archaeological sites across Austria and Europe. The most famous exhibit here is the Venus of Willendorf, a small but globally significant Paleolithic female figurine, estimated to be around 29,500 years old. Discovered in Austria in 1908, it is one of the most important works of early human art ever found. The hall also showcases tools, weapons, and other objects that illustrate the daily lives of our ancestors.
Hall 26-28: Anthropology. These halls cover the biological and cultural evolution of humankind. Exhibits explore early hominids, the development of language and technology, and the diversity of human cultures around the globe. It's an insightful look at what makes us human.