Quick Facts:
- What is the House of Nature? It’s a natural history and science museum in Salzburg.
- Where is it located? Museumsplatz 5, 5020 Salzburg
- What can you see there? At the House of Nature, you can experience fascinating exhibitions on nature, science, and technology, including aquariums with vibrant ecosystems, a dinosaur hall with prehistoric creatures, acoustic experiments, physics experiments, and a variety of interactive exhibitions to discover the world around us.
- When are the opening hours? Daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM; December 24th until 4:00 PM; Closed on December 25th; Last admission at 4:30 PM
- How much is the admission fee? Adults €9.50. You can find all prices here. With the Salzburg Card, single admission is free.
- How much time should you plan? At least 2 hours to half a day.
General Information
Covering an area of **over 7,000 square meters** across four floors, the museum presents the captivating side of nature. Here, visitors can explore breathtaking underwater worlds in the aquarium, embark on an extraterrestrial journey in the space hall, encounter gigantic dinosaurs from ancient epochs, and delve into the human body. Another highlight is the opportunity to conduct research and experiments in the Science Center.
The House of Nature is divided into the **main building** and the **Science Center**. Let’s delve into some of the highlights.
Main Building:
Aquarium and Underwater Worlds – The Secrets of the Seas
On the ground floor of the House of Nature, you’ll discover a world full of secrets—the aquarium and underwater worlds. In **38 display tanks**, with the largest one holding a whopping 60,000 liters, you’ll encounter creatures from various habitats. Here, you’ll find residents from tropical coral reefs, the Mediterranean, African waters, South America, Southeast Asia, and not to forget, native rivers and lakes.
Immerse yourself in colorful coral reefs and uncover the fascinating diversity of marine life.
Each tank recreates a living ecosystem down to the smallest detail, reflecting the authenticity of nature, complete with the same animal relationships found in the wild.
**Tip:** Feeding sessions take place at 10:30 AM from Monday to Thursday.
The Space Hall – A Journey into the Universe
On the second floor of the museum, an extraterrestrial adventure awaits you in the space hall. Here, you can explore interactive exhibits and models of our solar system. Particularly intriguing are the devices that allow you to measure your weight as it would be on various planets.
The fascination of the universe is presented here in an impressive manner. Discover the planets, stars, and galaxies, and immerse yourself in the mysteries of outer space. This is an experience that leaves not only children but also adults in awe.
The Dinosaur Exhibition – A Journey into Prehistory
In the dinosaur hall, you’ll encounter creatures that populated our planet inconceivably long ago. Throughout the entire Mesozoic era, from the Triassic period through the Jurassic era to the Cretaceous period, dinosaurs dominated as the Earth’s dominant animal group. Here, they are presented in the form of valuable original fossils, high-quality original casts, and impressive, lifelike reproductions, such as the Allosaurus, which even comes to life with roaring sounds.
Here you can also admire the largest fully preserved skeleton of a spoon-billed dinosaur, original fossils of fish-like dinosaurs, including a female specimen with two nearly full-term embryos in her belly. You’ll also find the Mastodonsaurus, the largest amphibian of all time. And of course, the most famous of all dinosaurs must not be missing: the Tyrannosaurus Rex, presented as an original cast of one of only three skulls found worldwide.
Journey into the Human Body
Here, you can embark on a fascinating journey into the anatomy and functions of our bodies. How do the lungs, liver, or kidneys work? What about our heart? Why is love said to go through the stomach? Interactive exhibits allow you to understand the wonders of the human body. From internal organs to muscles and bones, you can explore human anatomy and learn more about the fascinating mechanism of life.
The exhibition also addresses the necessity of food and its purpose. It explains where the various components come from and their benefits for our bodies. Furthermore, a section of the exhibition openly discusses the topic of sexuality, breaking down all taboos.
There’s much more to discover in the main building, including the **Animal World of the Earth**, the **Lifeblood Salzach**, **Earth Through Time**, and **Ice Age and Climate**. Describing everything here would go beyond the scope.
Science Center:
Various topics are covered here:
Energy and Lifting
The lower floor is dedicated to energy and lifting. The laws of levers are illustrated through practical experiments, and there’s a large lifting platform that allows you to effortlessly float through space. The generation of electrical power from hydropower and solar energy is also explored.
Acoustics and Music
The first floor delves into the phenomena of acoustics. Of particular interest is the “Feel Mozart” area, where you can not only hear but also feel the vibrations of music. There are also experiments with your own voice and the opportunity to test your vocal range.
Physics and Technology
The second floor offers a plethora of experiments in physics, technology, and mathematics. Simple experiments confirm significant natural laws. There are experiments with forces that answer questions like how the fastest and slowest gears work. You’ll also learn why cement or coffee is used as fine powder.
Body and Fitness
A significant portion of the second floor is dedicated to the dexterity, movement, and health of the human body. Simple experiments and athletic competitions focus on the human body’s central role. There are opportunities to test balance, jumping power, and reaction, as well as gain insights into living with physical disabilities.
Conclusion
The House of Nature in Salzburg is a place where nature and the wonders of science can be experienced in all their glory. From breathtaking underwater worlds to prehistoric dinosaurs, from the mysteries of the universe to human anatomy, there’s something to discover for everyone, regardless of age.