Het Natuurhistorisch: from fossils to city wildlife

A man and a child look up at the huge teeth of a skeletal jaw against a blue wall. — Face to face with a huge jaw.Photo: Het Natuurhistorisch · provided by the museum

Face to face with nature

At the Natuurhistorisch Museum Rotterdam you come face to face with fossils millions of years old, impressive skeletons and animals of the past and present. Not to be missed are the enormous sperm whale and Ramon the elephant. But do look further: the collection is full of fossils, shells, insects, birds, mammals and other remarkable finds. Together they tell the story of life on Earth, from evolution and biodiversity to the ways in which people and nature influence each other.

Three children look at fossils in a display case; a large skeleton stands behind them. — Fossils up close.Photo: Aad Hoogendoorn / Het Natuurhistorisch · provided by the museum

Dead animals with a story

Sometimes encounters between people and animals produce truly remarkable stories. The permanent display Dode dieren met een verhaal (Dead animals with a story) shows how people and animals collided. Here you’ll find the Dominomus (the ‘domino mouse’), the Tweede Kamermuis (the mouse from the Dutch House of Representatives) and the McFlurry hedgehog, among others.

Visitors at a wall of mounted birds behind glass. — Mounted birds from the collection.Photo: Aad Hoogendoorn / Het Natuurhistorisch · provided by the museum

Nature in the city

And nature doesn’t stop at the museum door. Bureau Stadsnatuur (the Urban Nature Office), part of Het Natuurhistorisch, studies the plants and animals of Rotterdam and the surrounding area and maps the city’s biodiversity.

A large whale skeleton hangs in a bright hall with a glass wall. — A whale skeleton in the hall.Photo: Het Natuurhistorisch · provided by the museum

Exhibitions and activities

With permanent and temporary exhibitions, activities for schools and families, talks and events, Het Natuurhistorisch links science to remarkable stories and a good dose of wonder. From fossils millions of years old to the animals that scurry, fly and swim through Rotterdam today: nature is closer than you think.

Before you go

Groups of more than ten people book in advance. Check the adjusted December hours and the conditions for any free afternoons; if necessary, ask about the accessibility of the villa.

Sources

Text supplied by the museum on 28 September 2026. Please check opening hours and prices on the museum’s website.