The Natural History Museum in St. Gallen (Naturmuseum St. Gallen in German) might not be the most well-known or largest natural history museum in Switzerland. But I do believe that it ranks among the finest in the country. Spread across several floors, the museum is home to an extensive collection of specimens. One of the coolest things there is a real dinosaur skeleton.
History of Natural History Museum St. Gallen
The Natural History Museum in St. Gallen (Naturmuseum St. Gallen in German) was founded in 1846 by the locals. Like many natural history museums, its collection comes from someone’s private collection. The Natural History Museum was built with the initiative of Caspar Zollikofer, a Swiss pharmacist and naturalist who founded the St. Gallen Natural Science Society St. Gallissche Naturwissenschaftliche Gesellschaft in German).
The museum’s early beginnings can be traced back to the acquisition of a 4-meter-long stuffed crocodile from Ulrich Kromm (1587 – 1637). Kromm obtained the crocodile from Egypt and sold it to his friend Daniel Studer (1585 – 1648). Studer then bequeathed the crocodile to the St. Gallen Library.1
The museum underwent several relocations due to space constraints and structural concerns with the buildings. It is now situated northeast of St. Gallen’s city center, near the Botanical Garden.
In my opinion, the Natural History Museum St. Gallen is one of the best natural history museums in the country together with that in Geneva and Chur.
Exhibits: Natural History Museum St. Gallen
The Natural History Museum St. Gallen (Naturmuseum St. Gallen in German) houses a diverse array of exhibits showcasing local animal life, geology, paleontology, and plants. Visitors have the opportunity to explore and interact with the exhibits over four floors.
Permanent Exhibits
The permanent exhibition of the Natural History Museum features a well-balanced mix of information about local animals, dinosaurs, plants, and the environment. There is also a huge three-dimensional model depicting the area around St. Gallen, all the way to Lake Constance.
Here are some of the taxidermy animals that you can find at the museum:
- Brown Bear
- Red Panda
- Koala Bears
- Deer
- Fox
- Hedgehog
- Owl
- Lion
- Birds
- Wolf
- Ants
There is also a small selection of real animals such as the small mice and bees.
Temporary Exhibits
The Natural History Museum also hosts temporary exhibits that change throughout the year. These exhibits cover a range of topics related to the natural world. In 2024 the temporary exhibit focused on bats and fireflies.
Visit the Natural History Museum St. Gallen’s website to learn more about the temporary exhibit when you are there: https://naturinfo.ch/aktuell/
What to Expect: Natural History Museum St. Gallen
Animal Life in Switzerland and Beyond
While most of the taxidermy animals presented can be found in Switzerland, such as deer, hedgehogs, birds, fish, and more, there were also those from other parts of the world, such as lions, sloths, and leopards. The animals are all displayed individually, unlike in Geneva, where they were exhibited in environments resembling their natural habitats.
Bears in Eastern Switzerland
Cave bears were discovered in Eastern Switzerland, particularly in the region of Wildkirchli. In the museum, you will find additional information about bears, bones, and taxidermy bears. When we visited, most of the information was in German, so if you don’t understand the language, you’ll need to use your phone for translation.
Three-Dimensional Model of Eastern Switzerland
The museum features a large three-dimensional model of Eastern Switzerland, showcasing the region’s topography, including towns, lakes, and mountains. It is displayed in a spacious room with high ceilings and is fascinating to observe and study.
Dinosaur Skeleton
Dinosaur fans will be happy to hear that there is a duck-billed dinosaur on the second floor of the museum. The dinosaur skeleton is always fascinating for me to see, knowing that these massive animals used to roam the Earth millions of years ago.
Museum Guides and Events
The museum offers a free digital museum guide on its website. I have used the app and found it quite helpful in touring the museum. It is available in German, French, and English. The app allows you to learn more information about the various displays, as well as the opportunity to play games or use augmented reality.
Furthermore, the museum offers tour guides for groups, which I believe is particularly beneficial for local schoolchildren. There are also scheduled events throughout the year covering various topics.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the Natural History Museum in St. Gallen. Although it was not overly large, it offered a good mix of information about animals, plants, geography, and the environment. Additionally, it features interactive elements that make it enjoyable for people of all ages.
Furthermore, it serves as an ideal destination for escaping a rainy day or enjoying a visit with young children.
How to Get to the Natural History Museum of St. Gallen
The Natural History Museum of St. Gallen is easy to access by public transport from the city center. It is located northeast of the city center, near the Botanical Park. Due to the museum’s distance from the St. Gallen and St. Gallen St. Fiden train stations, I highly recommend taking the bus.
| Address | Naturmuseum St. Gallen Rorschacher Strasse 263 9016 St. Gallen |
| Bus | St. Gallen, Muséum (Directly beside the museum) |
| Train | St. Gallen St. Fiden Train Station (32-minute walk) |
Visitor Information: Natural History Museum St. Gallen
The Natural History Museum of St. Gallen is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It is open until 8:00 PM on Wednesdays.
The museum is closed on Mondays, Swiss National Day (August 1), Christmas (December 24 – 25), and New Year’s Day (January 1). Visitors are advised to check the museum’s website for any changes in the opening hours.
Kids can come in for free. Adults will pay CHF 12.- per person.
Final Thoughts: Natural History Museum St. Gallen
The Natural History Museum in St. Gallen is a fantastic destination in the city that impressed me so much. The only caveat is that most of the terms are only in German, though the app provides information in English.
Spanning a large space and thoughtfully designed, the museum provides a wealth of information, hands-on learning, and promotion of environmental awareness. It caters to both children and adults, making it a fantastic outing for families.
Visitors can expect a captivating journey through the museum, learn more about all the animals displayed, and gain a better understanding of various species and ecosystems.
Overall, I highly recommend visiting the Natural History Museum in St. Gallen. While not overly large, it offers a variety of enriching and fulfilling experiences for all who step through its doors.
Resources
- 1 Bürgin, Toni. Die St. Gallische Naturwissenschaftliche Gesellschaft und ihre Beziehung zum Naturmuseum St. Gallen, St. Gallische Naturwissenschaftliche Gesellschaft. Band 93, 2019.
- Naturmuseum St. Gallen – https://naturmuseumsg.ch/
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Darla is the owner of TouringSwitzerland.com. Her home is in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Having lived almost 20 years in Switzerland, she's traveled extensively all over the country. Darla's favorite regions to visit in Switzerland include Engadin, Lake Geneva, Bernese Oberland, Ticino, and Valais. She loves spending time with her family, hiking, visiting museums, and reading books.