Natural History Museum Potsdam

About

The Natural History Museum Potsdam offers a vivid exploration of Brandenburg’s biodiversity, housed in the historic Zauche Estate House built in 1770. As the only natural history museum in the state, it presents over 250,000 specimens that document the region’s flora and fauna, with a focus on environmental change and conservation. The permanent exhibition features immersive dioramas of native mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects, alongside thematic displays such as “Animal Life in the UNESCO World Heritage” and “Human Footprints”, which examine the impact of human activity on ecosystems. A highlight is the cold-water aquarium, showcasing more than 40 species of freshwater fish native to Brandenburg’s rivers and lakes. The museum’s architecture, designed by Gottfried Christian Unger, blends Baroque elegance with scientific purpose, and its restored front garden adds to the visitor experience. Educational programs, family-friendly exhibits, and multilingual displays make it a welcoming space for all ages.

Potsdam Germany
Natural History Museum Potsdam
Location

The Natural History Museum Potsdam is located at Breite Straße 13, in the historic center near the Alter Markt and close to the Filmmuseum and Museum Barberini. The museum occupies the former Estates House of the Zauche region, a heritage-listed baroque building constructed in 1770 by architect Georg Christian Unger. Inside, it offers an in-depth look at the flora and fauna of Brandenburg, featuring dioramas of native animals, a freshwater aquarium with over 40 local fish species, and exhibits on regional biodiversity and conservation. Its baroque garden was restored in 2005, creating a charming green space that complements the museum experience. Nearby, visitors can easily explore St. Nicholas’ Church, the Potsdam Museum, and scenic sites along the Havel River, all within a short walking distance of the city’s cultural core.​

Sanssouci Park Sanssouci Park Park Neuer Garten Neuer Garten Park Potsdam Museum – Forum für Kunst und Geschichte Potsdam Museum – Forum für Kunst und Geschichte Museum House of Brandenburg-Prussian History House of Brandenburg-Prussian History Museum Memorial and Encounter Site Leistikowstraße Potsdam Memorial and Encounter Site Leistikowstraße Potsdam Museum Lindenstraße Memorial Foundation Lindenstraße Memorial Foundation Museum Museum Alexandrowka Museum Alexandrowka Museum Jan Bouman House Jan Bouman House Museum Nowaweser Weberstube Nowaweser Weberstube Museum Im Güldenen Arm Im Güldenen Arm Museum Waisenhausmuseum Potsdam Waisenhausmuseum Potsdam Museum Filmmuseum Potsdam Filmmuseum Potsdam Museum Historic Mill of Sanssouci Historic Mill of Sanssouci Museum Extavium Extavium Museum URANIA-Planetarium Potsdam URANIA-Planetarium Potsdam Museum Museum Barberini Museum Barberini Museum DAS MINSK Kunsthaus in Potsdam DAS MINSK Kunsthaus in Potsdam Museum museum FLUXUS+ museum FLUXUS+ Museum Villa Schöningen Villa Schöningen Museum New Palace Potsdam New Palace Potsdam Castle Belvedere Castle on the Pfingstberg Belvedere Castle on the Pfingstberg Castle Hans Otto Theatre Hans Otto Theatre Theatre Reithalle Reithalle Theatre Theaterschiff Potsdam Theaterschiff Potsdam Theatre T-Werk T-Werk Theatre Kabarett Obelisk Kabarett Obelisk Theatre Fabrik Potsdam Fabrik Potsdam Theatre Open Air Kinosommer am Waschhaus Open Air Kinosommer am Waschhaus Cinema Kunstraum Potsdam Kunstraum Potsdam Museum Galerie KUNST-KONTOR Galerie KUNST-KONTOR Gallery Kunstverein KunstHaus Potsdam e.V. Kunstverein KunstHaus Potsdam e.V. Gallery a|e Galerie a|e Galerie Gallery Kunsthaus sans titre Kunsthaus sans titre Gallery Sperl Galerie Sperl Galerie Gallery Ausstellungspavillon des Brandenburgischen Kunstvereins Potsdam e. V. Ausstellungspavillon des Brandenburgischen Kunstvereins Potsdam e. V. Museum Antique Temple Antique Temple Historical Landmark Charlottenhof Palace Charlottenhof Palace Castle Pheasantry Pheasantry Historical Landmark Sanssouci Palace Sanssouci Palace Palace Nauen Gate Nauen Gate Historical Landmark Gartendirektionsgebäude Gartendirektionsgebäude Historical Landmark Bank mit Havelblick Bank mit Havelblick Park Orangerieschloss Orangerieschloss Palace Chinesisches Haus Chinesisches Haus Historical Landmark Marmorpalais Marmorpalais Castle Römische Bäder Römische Bäder Historical Landmark Flatowturm Flatowturm Historical Landmark Bornstedt Crown Estate Bornstedt Crown Estate Palace Schloss Babelsberg Schloss Babelsberg Castle Schloss Sacrow Schloss Sacrow Castle Park Babelsberg Park Babelsberg Park Freundschaftsinsel Freundschaftsinsel Park Volkspark Potsdam Volkspark Potsdam Park Botanischer Garten Potsdam Botanischer Garten Potsdam Botanical Garden Normannischer Turm Normannischer Turm Historical Landmark Obeliskportal Obeliskportal Historical Landmark Neptune Grotto Neptune Grotto Historical Landmark Temple of Friendship Temple of Friendship Historical Landmark Garnisonkirche Garnisonkirche Museum Wochenmarkt am Nauener Tor Wochenmarkt am Nauener Tor Market Floh- & Bauernmarkt am Weberplatz Floh- & Bauernmarkt am Weberplatz market Muschelgrotte Muschelgrotte Historical Landmark Jägertor Potsdam Jägertor Potsdam Historical Landmark Winzerberg Potsdam Winzerberg Potsdam Historical sites Friedenskirche Friedenskirche Church Kolonnade mit Triumphtor Kolonnade mit Triumphtor Historical Landmark Einstein Tower Einstein Tower Observatory Wasserturm Potsdam Hauptbahnhof Wasserturm Potsdam Hauptbahnhof Historical Landmark St. Nicholas Church Potsdam St. Nicholas Church Potsdam Church Church of the Redeemer Church of the Redeemer Church Loggia alexandra Loggia alexandra Historical Landmark Stoffmarkt Holland Stoffmarkt Holland Market Fortunaportal Fortunaportal Tourist attractions Gutspark Gutspark Museum Brandenburg Gate Postdam Brandenburg Gate Postdam Historical Landmark