Events at the Museum für Naturkunde in September 2021
Wednesday, 1 September, 10 to 11.30 a.m.
Mysterious world of stone - quiz for excavation detectives
(for individual visitors aged 7 and over)
Location: Window into the history of the earth, Glockenstraße 16, 09130 Chemnitz
Admission: free
Covered in volcanic ash and turned to stone, a primeval forest is waiting to be uncovered beneath our feet. Here on the Sonnenberg, we are digging part of it up again. Follow our detective guide and discover the secrets of the Chemnitz primeval forest for yourself.
Only with advance booking on 0371 488 4557 or fenster(at)naturkunde-chemnitz.de
Note: The "Window into the Earth's History" project is subsidised by the ESF.
Friday, 3 September, 10 to 11.30 a.m.
Volcanoes - the hot breath of the earth
(for individual visitors aged 5 and over)
Location: Window into the Earth's History, Glockenstraße 16, 09130 Chemnitz
Admission: free
The earth shakes, it bubbles and smoke rises - a volcano comes to life. The earth is constantly changing its face. Together we will make a volcano erupt and see what pillows, bombs and hair have to do with a volcano.
Only with advance booking on 0371 488 4557 or fenster(at)naturkunde-chemnitz.de
Note: The "Window into the Earth's History" project is subsidised by the ESF.
Saturday, 11 September, 3 to 7 p.m.
A penchant for culture
Location: Window into the history of the earth, Glockenstraße 16, 09130 Chemnitz
Admission: free
At the "Window into the Earth's History", we excavate part of the Petrified Forest that lies beneath our feet. The former primeval forest and its inhabitants were covered and preserved by the ashes of a nearby volcano 291 million years ago. Once again this year, we are inviting anyone who is interested to come and marvel at fossilised trees and listen to exciting excavation stories. On a huge playing field, visitors can also explore for themselves what it takes to become a fossil. Our outdoor "geological classroom" is also open and offers young researchers space to dig for fossilised treasure themselves.
Please note: The "Window into the Earth's History" project is subsidised by the ESF.
Sunday, 19 September, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Insights into a 291 million-year-old forest through the "Window into Earth History" as part of Geotope Day 2021
Location: Window into the history of the earth, Glockenstraße 16, 09130 Chemnitz
Admission: free
Chemnitz may be a small spot on our big earth, but the treasure buried beneath this city is known worldwide - the Petrified Forest. These are the fossilised remains of a tropical jungle that was covered in ash and preserved by a volcanic eruption 291 million years ago. Although discovered in the Middle Ages, it has only been possible to reconstruct a complete ecosystem with giant trees, scorpions, primordial dinosaurs and giant centipedes over the past ten years. Nevertheless, there are still secrets that we want to uncover from the Petrified Forest on the scientific excavation at the "Window into the Earth's History". This usually takes place behind closed doors, but on Geotope Day we open our excavation tent again and invite all interested parties to be there live as we document and recover fossil finds. The excavation team will also tell exciting stories about the former primeval forest and provide insights into everyday excavation work. There is also something for young researchers to experience: they can dig for fossilised wood in the "geological classroom" and explore the excavation site independently by solving a quiz.
Note: The "Window into the Earth's History" project is subsidised by the ESF.
From 1 to 30 September (offer for after-school groups)
Experience box: Birds - our feathered friends!
Location: Museum of Natural History
Costs: Basic materials for games (5 euros per box) / creative activities (1 euro per person)
The box can be ordered by e-mail to: ehle(at)naturkunde-chemnitz.de or by calling
Tel: 0371 488-4555.
Whether in the forest, in the field or in the city - birds have become an integral part of our lives. With the experience box, you can follow in the footsteps of these little flying artists.
With the help of the materials, you will learn how to identify bird species and what you can do to help protect them! The experience box consists of a dream journey, games and a creative activity.
From 1 to 30 September
Special exhibition: Petrified weather
Location: Museum of Natural History
Admission: 4 euros, reduced 2.50 euros, children and young people up to 18 years free
Almost every weather element leaves fossilised traces. A bright flash of lightning can strike the sandy ground and fuse the grains of sand together. The lightning tube created in this way still reports on the thunderstorm event centuries later. Heavy rain leaves impact marks in the ground. Under certain conditions, the rain marks are preserved for millions of years. As in a criminal case, the exhibition uncovers fossilised traces of weather, atmospheric conditions and climate.
Taking the weather into your own hands? Yes, the special exhibition also offers this at a total of nine interactive stations. There is also a digital exhibition guide with discovery tours and games for young and old weathermen.
From 1 to 30 September
Interactive exhibition: Museum experience
Location: Museum of Natural History
Admission: free to visit the interactive exhibition Erlebnisraum Museum, for a tour of the museum's permanent exhibition and the special exhibition Petrified Weather: valid admission ticket required
A forest that stretches back 291 million years into the history of the earth and a permanent exhibition that has been standing for 20 years - time to change something in our museum! We want to retell the stories about the life and death of our fossilised tree giants and bring much more from the collections to light. In recent years, children and young people have been thinking about what our museum should offer in the future.
Using games, animated films and audio contributions they developed themselves, they brought primordial dinosaurs, scorpions and giant dragonflies to life for the experience level of the new permanent exhibition. The resulting interactive stations were tested by young and old alike. We have taken these change requests on board and now it's time to discover, play and dream again.
From 1 to 30 September
Experience the museum digitally
Fancy a digital museum visit? Take a look:
Your digital museum journey at home
You can find more offers for young and old that sweeten learning at home as well as leisure time here: Museum of Natural History Chemnitz.