# Museum für Naturkunde - Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science

> natural history museum in Berlin, Germany

**Wikidata**: [Q233098](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q233098)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_History_Museum,_Berlin)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/museum-fur-naturkunde-leibniz-institute-for-evolution-and-biodiversity-science

## Summary
The **Museum für Naturkunde - Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science** is a world-renowned natural history museum and research institute located in Berlin, Germany. Founded in 1810, it houses extensive collections of fossils, minerals, and biological specimens, while also conducting cutting-edge research in evolution and biodiversity. It is one of the most significant natural history museums globally, attracting over 700,000 visitors annually.

## Key Facts
- **Founded in 1810** as part of the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, becoming an independent Leibniz Institute in 2009.
- **Official name**: *Museum für Naturkunde – Leibniz-Institut für Evolutions- und Biodiversitätsforschung*.
- **Location**: Invalidenstraße 43, Berlin-Mitte, Germany (coordinates: 52.5302°N, 13.3792°E).
- **Annual attendance**: ~700,000 visitors (as of recent data).
- **Parent organization**: Leibniz Association (since 2009); previously affiliated with Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (1810–2008).
- **Director**: Johannes Vogel (since 2012).
- **Notable collections**: Includes the **Giraffatitan** dinosaur skeleton, one of the tallest mounted dinosaur exhibits in the world.
- **Research focus**: Evolutionary biology, biodiversity, paleontology, and systematic zoology.
- **Affiliations**: Member of the Leibniz Association, Biodiversity Heritage Library, and Consortium of European Taxonomic Facilities (CETAF).
- **Social media presence**: Active on Twitter (@MfNBerlin), Instagram (@mfnberlin), and YouTube (22,300+ subscribers as of 2025).

## FAQs
### Q: What are the Museum für Naturkunde’s opening hours and admission fees?
A: As of 2021, the entry fee is **€8.00** for adults. For current hours and ticket prices, check the [official website](https://www.museumfuernaturkunde.berlin).

### Q: What are the museum’s most famous exhibits?
A: The museum is best known for its **dinosaur hall**, featuring the **Giraffatitan skeleton**, the **Archaeopteryx fossil** (a key "missing link" in evolution), and an extensive **mineral collection**.

### Q: Is the museum involved in scientific research?
A: Yes, it is a **Leibniz research institute** specializing in evolutionary biology and biodiversity, with affiliated scientists like biologist **Gregor Hagedorn** and machine learning researcher **Mario Lasseck**.

### Q: How is the museum connected to Humboldt University?
A: It was originally part of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (1810–2008) before becoming an independent Leibniz Institute in 2009.

### Q: Does the museum offer digital access to its collections?
A: Yes, it participates in **open-access initiatives** like the Biodiversity Heritage Library and has a **GitHub account (MfN-Berlin)** for sharing research data.

## Why It Matters
The Museum für Naturkunde is a cornerstone of **natural history research and public science education**. Its vast collections—spanning **30 million specimens**—provide critical data for studying **evolution, climate change, and biodiversity loss**. As a Leibniz Institute, it bridges **academic research and public engagement**, making complex scientific concepts accessible through exhibits, digital archives, and outreach programs. The museum also plays a key role in **global biodiversity networks**, collaborating with institutions worldwide to document and preserve biological diversity. Its **paleontological discoveries**, such as the *Archaeopteryx* fossil, have shaped our understanding of evolutionary biology. By combining **historical collections with modern research**, it serves as both a **time capsule of Earth’s history** and a hub for future scientific breakthroughs.

## Notable For
- **Oldest natural history museum in Germany**: Founded in 1810, with roots tracing back to Prussian royal collections.
- **World-famous dinosaur exhibits**: Home to the **tallest mounted dinosaur skeleton (Giraffatitan)** and one of the best-preserved *Archaeopteryx* specimens.
- **Pioneering research institute**: A Leibniz Association member conducting high-impact studies in **evolution, taxonomy, and biodiversity informatics**.
- **Open-science leadership**: Actively shares data via **GitHub, Biodiversity Heritage Library, and CETAF**, promoting global access to scientific collections.
- **Cultural landmark**: Designated as a **cultural heritage monument in Berlin**, blending historic architecture with modern exhibition design.

## Body
### History and Evolution
- **1810**: Founded as the *Zoologisches Museum der Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität zu Berlin*.
- **1889**: The current museum building opened on **December 2, 1889**, designed by architect **August Tiede**.
- **2009**: Transitioned from a university museum to an independent **Leibniz Institute**, expanding its research mandate.
- **2012–present**: Directed by **Johannes Vogel**, who has emphasized **digital transformation and public engagement**.

### Collections and Exhibits
- **Paleontology**: Features **dinosaur fossils**, including the **Giraffatitan** (formerly classified as *Brachiosaurus*) and *Triceratops* skeletons.
- **Mineralogy**: Houses over **250,000 mineral specimens**, including rare meteorites.
- **Zoology**: Contains **15 million preserved animals**, including the **Humboldt University’s historic zoological collections**.
- **Herbarium**: Over **300,000 plant specimens**, supporting botanical research.
- **Animal Sound Archive**: One of the largest collections of **bioacoustic recordings** in Europe.

### Research and Affiliations
- **Leibniz Association**: Funded as a **non-university research institute** since 2009.
- **Key research centers**:
  - **Center for Integrative Biodiversity Discovery**
  - **Berlin School of Public Engagement and Open Science**
- **Collaborations**:
  - **Biodiversity Heritage Library** (digitizing natural history literature).
  - **German National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI)**.
  - **Consortium of European Taxonomic Facilities (CETAF)**.

### Digital and Public Engagement
- **Social media**: Active on **Twitter (@MfNBerlin)**, **Instagram (@mfnberlin)**, and **YouTube**, with over **22,300 subscribers** (2025).
- **Open data**: Shares collections via **GitHub (MfN-Berlin)** and **Wikimedia Commons**.
- **Hashtag campaign**: Uses **#fürnatur** to promote biodiversity awareness.
- **Accessibility**: Wheelchair-accessible, with **multilingual guides** (German/English).

### Visitor Information
- **Address**: Invalidenstraße 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany.
- **Contact**:
  - Phone: **+49 30 8891408591**
  - Email: **info@mfn.berlin**
  - Website: [www.museumfuernaturkunde.berlin](https://www.museumfuernaturkunde.berlin) (available in German and English).
- **Admission**: €8.00 (as of 2021); discounts for students, children, and groups.

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## References

1. [Directory of Open Access Journals](http://dez.pensoft.net/about#FocusandScope)
2. [#fürnatur: Logo-Animation Museum für Naturkunde Berlin](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_l90xqv2C74)
3. GRID Release 2017-01-10
4. Japan Search
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. [Source](https://www.dfn.de/verein/mv/mitglieder/)
7. [Source](https://idw-online.de/de/institution1323)
8. [Source](https://www.kavberlin.de/index.php?id=390)
9. [Source](https://cetaf.org/members/cetaf-members)
10. directory of German Library Codes
11. [Source](https://www.nfdi.de/verein/#mitglieder)
12. [Source](https://about.biodiversitylibrary.org/about/bhl-consortium/)
13. [Bildnismedaillons Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg, Alexander von Humboldt und Christian Samuel Weiss. Bildhauerei in Berlin](https://bildhauerei-in-berlin.de/bildwerk/bildnismedaillons-christian-von-gottfried-ehrenberg-alexander-von-humboldt-und-christian-samuel-weiss-10249/)
14. [Leopold v. Buch. Bildhauerei in Berlin](https://bildhauerei-in-berlin.de/bildwerk/leopold-v-buch-10248/)
15. [Johannes Müller. Bildhauerei in Berlin](https://bildhauerei-in-berlin.de/bildwerk/johannes-mueller-denkmal-8761/)
16. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
17. [Home | Museum für Naturkunde](https://www.museumfuernaturkunde.berlin/en)
18. [Startseite | Museum für Naturkunde](https://www.museumfuernaturkunde.berlin/de)
19. [Source](https://www.museumfuernaturkunde.berlin)
20. [Home | Museum für Naturkunde](https://www.museumfuernaturkunde.berlin/en#block-mfnmodulecontact)
21. [Source](https://www.museumfuernaturkunde.berlin/de/ueber-uns/das-museum)
22. [Source](https://viaf.org/viaf/146620974/)
23. [Open GLAM Survey, version of 31 October 2019](https://archive.org/details/OpenGLAM_Survey_20191031)
24. [Open GLAM Survey, version of 30 April 2020](https://archive.org/details/OpenGLAM_Survey_20200430)
25. [Open GLAM Survey, version of 3 August 2021](https://archive.org/details/OpenGLAM_Survey_20210803)
26. [Open GLAM Survey, version of 17 February 2022](https://archive.org/details/OpenGLAM_Survey_20220217)
27. [Source](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WPS-KJptUJ-o8SXtg00llcxq0IKJu8eO6Ege_GrLaNc)
28. [Open GLAM Survey, version of 27 June 2023](https://archive.org/details/open-glam-survey-backup-20230627)
29. [Open GLAM Survey, version of 16 May 2024](https://archive.org/details/open-glam-survey-backup-20240516)
30. [Museum für Naturkunde Berlin. Bildhauerei in Berlin](https://bildhauerei-in-berlin.de/bildwerk/museum-fuer-naturkunde-berlin-10247/)
31. [Source](https://www.museumfuernaturkunde.berlin/)
32. GeoNames
33. [Source](https://www.museumfuernaturkunde.berlin/de/ueber-uns/das-museum/geschichte-des-museums)
34. [Source](https://www.museumfuernaturkunde.berlin/en)
35. [Home | Museum für Naturkunde](https://www.museumfuernaturkunde.berlin/en#block-mfnmodulesocial-links)
36. [Open GLAM Survey](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WPS-KJptUJ-o8SXtg00llcxq0IKJu8eO6Ege_GrLaNc)
37. GRID Release 2015-12-14
38. [#fürnatur: Logo-Animation Museum für Naturkunde Berlin - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/f%C3%BCrnatur)
39. [Node: Museum für Naturkunde (538692583)](https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/538692583/history#sidebar_content)
40. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
41. GERiT
42. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
43. [Museum für Naturkunde Berlin (@mfnberlin) Official TikTok | Watch Museum für Naturkunde Berlin's Newest TikTok Videos](https://www.tiktok.com/@mfnberlin)
44. FactGrid
45. YouTube API
46. [Museum of Natural History Berlin (Museum) • Mapy.cz](https://en.mapy.cz/zakladni?x=13.3796652&y=52.5302489&z=18&source=osm&id=11970793)
47. [Museum of Natural History · Apple Maps](https://maps.apple.com/place?auid=14695470975942268825)
48. [Node: ‪Museum für Naturkunde‬ (‪538692583‬) | OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/538692583#map=19/52.53056/13.37912)