Nature & natural history museums in Saxony

The Leipzig Zoo (Zoologischer Garten Leipzig) is a zoo in Leipzig that covers about 27 hectares, containing around 850 species. The Leipzig zoo is mostly known for its large building projects, including the Pongoland with gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos and orangutans and Gondwanaland, the world's se

Terra Mineralia, located in Freudenstein Castle in Freiberg, is a mineral exhibition that boasts over 3500 exhibits. This makes it one of the largest mineral exhibitions in the world, offering a unique opportunity for visitors to explore a vast collection of minerals, gemstones, and meteorites from around the globe.

The Zoo Hoyerswerda is a zoological garden located in the heart of Hoyerswerda's old town, right next to the castle. It covers an area of six hectares and is home to approximately 1000 animals in 120 forms. In addition to the diverse animal life, the zoo also houses 120 plants in 56 species. The zoo was founded in the 1950s by a nature enthusiast who introduced some exotic ducks and swans to the castle moat.

The Wildgehege Moritzburg is a wildlife park that spans approximately 40 hectares. It is situated in the Saxon municipality of Moritzburg, about ten kilometers north of Dresden, near the Moritzburg Castle. As a historical hunting enclosure, it is part of the overall Moritzburg ensemble. The park is home to various native wildlife species, with a focus on the historical development of the wildlife park. The significance of hunting, forestry, and nature conservation and their impact on the forest ecosystem are presented.

The Tierpark Weißwasser is a zoo situated in the eastern Saxon city of Weißwasser/Oberlausitz. Its location is quite convenient for tourists as it is close to the city center and directly north of Jahnteich in Jahnpark. This makes it easily accessible for visitors who are exploring the city and looking for a nature-filled experience.

The Botanischer Garten Chemnitz, situated approximately 3 km northwest of the city center of Chemnitz, is a 12-hectare garden that primarily showcases Central European plant families and useful plants from around the globe. This vast area provides a unique opportunity for visitors to explore and learn about a wide variety of plant species in one location.

Hirschfeld Wildlife Park is situated in the scenic locale of Voigtsgrün, which is a part of the municipality of Hirschfeld. This park is conveniently located near Zwickau in the German Free State of Saxony, making it easily accessible for tourists visiting the region.

The Eilenburg Zoo, situated in the Saxon city of Eilenburg, is a zoological garden that spans an area of about 4 hectares. It is home to approximately 300 animals, both native and exotic, from 50 different species. This diverse collection of wildlife offers visitors a unique opportunity to observe and learn about a wide range of animals in one location.

The Tierpark Limbach-Oberfrohna is a quaint zoo nestled in the city of Limbach-Oberfrohna. It shares its borders with the Limbacher Teiche nature reserve, providing a serene and natural environment for the animals and visitors alike.

The Görlitz Zoo, also known as Naturschutz-Tierpark Görlitz, is located in Görlitz, Saxony, Germany. This zoo is a significant attraction in the region, offering visitors a chance to explore a diverse range of animal species.

The Fasanenschlösschen, or 'Little Pheasant Castle', derives its name from the pheasant breeding that was carried out on its grounds. It is situated in the pheasantry of the Moritzburg castle park, which was established in 1728. This unique aspect of the castle's history adds an intriguing layer to its appeal, offering visitors a glimpse into the past practices of the region.

The Dresden Zoo (Zoo Dresden) is a zoo in Dresden in Germany that is Germany's fourth oldest zoo, opened in 1861. The Dresden Zoo is located in the Großer Garten, a city park in Dresden. The zoo is home to around 3,000 animals representing around 400 species. The zoo is especially known for its Asia

Chemnitz Zoo, situated in the city of Chemnitz, was established in 1964. Initially, the zoo's focus was on the wildlife of the former Soviet Union. However, over the years, the zoo has shifted its focus towards the conservation of endangered species. This change in focus reflects the zoo's commitment to biodiversity and the preservation of wildlife.

The Museum der Westlausitz Kamenz is a regional landscape museum located in Kamenz. It offers a comprehensive exploration of the landscape, nature, history, and culture of the western Oberlausitz (Westlausitz). The museum's collections cover cultural history, archaeology, geology, zoology, and botany of the region, providing a rich and diverse experience for visitors.

The museum offers a comprehensive view of the production process from extraction to processing and loading. Visitors can see a functional stone splitting machine, a cable crane system, various derrick cranes, and a large stone gang saw. These exhibits provide a hands-on understanding of the granite industry's operations.

The Tiergarten Falkenstein, originally known as Station junger Forscher, was established in 1953. It is a zoo that remains open throughout the year in the city of Falkenstein/Vogtl. The zoo spans a total area of 1.80 hectares, providing ample space for the animals and visitors.

As the name suggests, the zoo focuses mainly on small animals - but it is definitely worth a visit for the unique species housed there.

The Museum – Naturalienkabinett in Waldenburg (Saxony) is home to the Naturalienkabinett of the Princes of Schönburg-Waldenburg. This collection has been housed in the outdoor area of Waldenburg Castle since the 1840s, making it a significant part of the region's history.

The Museum für Naturkunde Chemnitz, established in 1868, is a natural history museum situated in Chemnitz, Saxony. It is home to a vast collection of over 300,000 exhibits. Among these are the Sterzeleanum, a historical cabinet, and the Insectarium. The museum also hosts rotating special exhibitions, providing visitors with a variety of experiences and insights into the natural world.

The Stadtmuseum Löbau, established in 1894, is a repository of cultural-historical and natural history objects. The collection spans a wide range of fields, including prehistory around the Löbauer Berg, sacred art, city history, history of the Six Cities League, folklore, crafts, trade and industry, (Upper Lusatian) furniture, and works of fine art. This diverse collection provides a comprehensive insight into the rich history and culture of the region.

Tierpark Freiberg is a small zoo located in the city of Freiberg. It is situated about 500 meters southwest of the old town, nestled between Goethestraße, Chemnitzer Straße, Johann-Sebastian-Bach-Straße, and Lessingstraße. This location makes it easily accessible for tourists visiting the city.

The Heimatmuseum Wilsdruff, which was once known as the Heimatsammlung Wilsdruff, was established by Artur Kühne and Alfred Ranft. This local and natural history collection was opened to the public in 1919. The museum has been housed in the ground floor of the current Oberschule am Gezinge in Wilsdruff since its inception.