Cabinet of Curiosities

Our scientific collections consist of 6.5 million objects – they are the heart of the museum. They are stored in our cellar in climate-controlled and bomb-proof rooms. Although these precious treasures are well protected, they’re also inaccessible to the museum guests. The permanent exhibition  «Cabinet of Curiosities – The display collection» brings part of the «wet collection» into the light of day and shows its unbelievable breadth. Over 15,000 jars stand on ceiling-high shelves. They contain 19,000 objects, including iguanas, fish, crocodiles, penguins and insects, not to mention a unique collection of eyes. This exhibition is unique in Switzerland. The Cabinet of Curiosities attracts visitors with its whimsical aesthetic and captivates them with its diversity. It is a natural history collection, research site, archive of life, and not least – a testament to the most pressing issues of our time.