LWL Mu­seum of Nat­ur­al His­tory in Mün­ster

Two per­man­ent ex­hib­i­tions and reg­u­lar spe­cial formats provide in­sights in­to the world of plants and an­im­als. Im­press­ive skel­et­ons, mod­els and spe­ci­mens await. The plan­et­ari­um of­fers shows for star­gazers and space fans.

At the LWL Museum of Natural History, visitors can meet the Tyrannosaurus Rex, touch a fossilised dinosaur egg or look over the shoulders of small predatory dinosaurs. Over a space of 850 square metres, numerous strange lifeforms wait to be more closely examined and investigated. Some exhibits amaze, others astonish with their loving design.

In the permanent prehistoric exhibition, visitors are faced with large skeletons. Jaws drop when they look at the highly detailed models and real fossils of prehistoric creatures. Those interested in history, such as hobby palaeontologists, can satisfy their curiosity at interactive stations. They get to watch an informative educational film for example, before moving on to the rare aquatic dinosaurs or sperm whale skeletons.

And: What did a herbivore eat? Did certain types of dinosaur always live in herds? Mysteries regarding the lives and behaviour of the former residents of the earth are quickly solved in the exhibition halls. Audio recordings and information boards help to understand the steps of evolution and levels of adaptability. Prospective prehistoric researchers can easily become prehistoric experts here.

The second permanent exhibition, “Coming and going. Changing Westphalian biodiversity”, also looks at nature in constant flux. Animals that have become re-established in the region are as much part of the show as animals that have become extinct or migrated into the region. Over a space of 320 square metres, the museum team have skilfully presented over 900 exhibits. Dioramas and media stations invite you to linger for a while here and there.

In addition to the two permanent exhibitions, the facility also offers special formats and a show on forms of cohabitation in nature. These special exhibitions have proven to be real visitor magnets in the past. They make the establishment one of the most visited museums in Westphalia.

The museum’s planetarium is also particularly impressive, taking travellers to the stars into outer space at regular shows. Live animals also await at the neighbouring all-weather zoo, which is right next to the museum.