Museum of Nature
Object's description
Metalowa 8, 10-603 Olsztyn
Visiting the Museum of Nature, we can find out what squeaks, grunts, roars and makes other intriguing sounds in the forests of Warmia and Mazury. The main attraction of the museum is a collection of 900 stuffed examples of the animals living in the region, which has the reputation of the environment with the richest number of fauna species in Poland.
The Museum of Natural resources has nearly 19,000 exhibits, mainly zoological, botanical and geological. Especially valuable is the herbarium of Hans Steffen, which consists of up 460 sheets. The zoological exhibition mainly consists of stuffed animals of 250 species, including many endangered ones. Among others, there are bison, wolf, beaver, eagles and other birds, catfish, the mud turtle, and various insects. Dermoplastic animals stand in the background of photos of their habitats, which together gives the impression of participation in a unique forest walk. The museum also presents a rich collection of maps, including German ones from the early 20th century.
Lauched in 2000, the facility is a branch of the Museum of Warmia and Mazury and deals not only with presenting collections, but also conducts research, and educational and popularizing activities. In the education room, screenings and meetings are held.
Noteworthy is also the seat of of the Museum of Nature. This art nouveau and eclectic palace from the early 20th century was built by Max Lion, the owner of Olsztyn’s brick factory. The palace was the former estate of Bergenthal from which the name of the Nagórki district was taken. The palace went through various stages. It deteriorated especially after World War II. First, in the stylish rooms fur-bearing animals were bred, and since the 70s here public housing was located. By transferring it into a museum, it kept it alive and brought about a second youth. Apart from the palace the coach house has also survived, where the following are placed: the museum library, an educational room, warehouses and workshops. The building is surrounded by a park with interesting specimens of ancient trees.