Barry, the legendary St. Bernard, is probably the museum’s most famous exhibit. The loyal rescue dog lived over 200 years ago in a hospice on the Great St. Bernard Pass and was involved in many mountain rescues. In 2014, Barry’s heroic acts were honored with his own permanent exhibition – including a golden display cabinet.

Historical Animal Diorama

The museum displays an exciting selection of mammals and birds in their natural habitats using around 220 artistically designed showcases. The attractive exhibition takes the audience along on a journey through Africa, Asia, Alaska and the Swiss Alps. From lions, gorillas and gazelles to ibexes, Alpine ptarmigans and little owls and on to polar bears and seals, this is a place where you can admire and enjoy everything that flies, creeps, swims and walks.

The colorful diversity of the invertebrates amazes young and old visitors alike; beautiful beetles lie beside iridescent butterflies, with rare shells next to exotic snails and fossils from ancient times. In addition to the four-legged hero, Barry, and the African large animal diorama, the bone display with a 23-meter-long fin whale skeleton is another important centerpiece at the museum.

Pictures, graphics, photo documentations, sound samples, animation and light shows complement the multifaceted exhibition and enable visitors of all ages to experience the display. By the way, children can explore the exhibition spaces on their own. The museum provides families with a free discovery suitcase. Filled with tricky riddles, suitable matching games and specimens that can be prodded and poked, it transforms a museum visit into a fun scientific experience.

The versatile Discovery Corner on the second floor is ideal for older children, as is the Geo Lab with binoculars, rock samples and experiment boxes on the level above.

Meteorites, Giant Crystals and Diamonds

The basement level introduces visitors to a tremendous collection of minerals. The impressive and sensationally clear giant crystals from the Planggenstock mountain never fail to attract attention. Discovered in 2005 by two rock crystal hunters, Franz von Arx and Paul von Känel, today they sparkle and shine in the “Treasure Chamber” of the Natural History Museum. The crowning jewel of the exhibition is the uniquely structured, 300-kilogram group of crystals, which slowly revolves around its own axis.