The Staatliches Naturhistorisches Muesum in Brunswick was founded in 1754 by Duke Carl I. of Braunschweig and Lüneburg. It is the oldest natural history museum on the European continent that was open to the general public.

The museum was regarded as a “museum of enlightenment” at its opening and it tries to continue in this tradition. The main aims of the museum are to teach the general public about nature and natural history, with an emphasis on evolution and biodiversity. The museum has mainly original specimens on display. The famous dioramas show native mammals and birds in their natural habitats. The museum also presents original exhibits in the newly renovated treasury hall, a traditional storeroom. This is a place for amazing discoveries with many interactive elements.

The museum also puts a special emphasis on paleontology. Scientists from the museum discovered a new species of dinosaur in Africa, which is presented in the dinosaur hall.

The museum is also a place to admire live animals. The aquarium, with its many different types of fish and other animals is one of the main highlights of the exhibition. The aquarium was opened more than 50 years ago and was modernized in 1991. For many years several species, such as the white-blotched river stingray (Potamotrygon leopoldi) from South America or the green tree python (Morelia viridis) from New Guinea, have regularly been bred at the museum.