Natural History Museum Bern

The Naturhistorisches Museum Bern on Bernastrasse is the oldest natural history museum in Switzerland and one of the best, with major collections in mineralogy, palaeontology, and zoology. The mammal hall features some of the largest taxidermy in Europe, including a full-scale mounted African elephant and a white rhinoceros. The mineral and meteorite collection is particularly strong, with gem-quality crystals and impressive iron meteorites.

For families, the museum is excellent value for the breadth of what it covers. The dinosaur section is modest by international standards but the Alpine geology displays are genuinely informative for anyone planning to spend time in the mountains. The museum is on Helvetiaplatz, grouped with the Historical Museum and Museum of Communication — all three can realistically be visited in a full day.

things to do museum
A story
The museum's most famous exhibit is Barry, a Saint Bernard rescue dog who became legendary in the early 19th century for saving over 40 people caught in Alpine snowstorms. Barry worked the Great St. Bernard Pass from 1800 to 1812. After his retirement he was taken to Bern, and when he died in 1814, his body was preserved. He is displayed here in a glass case looking considerably more barrel-chested than the modern Saint Bernard breed, which was bred for size after Barry's time.