The museum holds significant collections of turtle fossils discovered in local limestone quarries dating back 150 million years.
It preserves a vast archive of botanical and zoological specimens specifically documenting the flora and fauna of the Solothurn canton.
The building is situated on Klosterplatz, a historic site that has been a focal point of Solothurn’s urban development for centuries.
The collection includes rare mineral specimens unique to the Jura Mountains, which are often sought after by researchers.
The institution regularly hosts interactive 'discovery' stations aimed at explaining geological processes that formed the Swiss landscape.
The Naturmuseum Solothurn is a regional natural history institution housed in a historic building adjacent to the St. Ursus Cathedral. It features extensive collections focusing on the geology, paleontology, and zoology of the Solothurn region. The museum is particularly notable for its exhibition on the Mesozoic era, showcasing fossils discovered in the nearby Jura Mountains. Displays include reconstructed skeletons, mineral specimens, and taxidermy representing local alpine and lowland fauna. Educational programs and changing special exhibitions complement the permanent galleries. The facility serves as a research hub for regional biodiversity and earth sciences.
The dramatic, multi-story staircase and the reconstructed dinosaur skeletal casts in the main exhibition hall.
Visit the 'Search' or 'Discovery' corners where visitors can handle specific fossils and mineral samples.
Check the official website for temporary exhibitions, as these often feature loan items from other Swiss scientific collections.
Combine your visit with a walk through the surrounding historic Old Town, which is within easy walking distance.
Do not mistake the nearby municipal cultural museums for this natural science-focused institution; they are distinct entities.
Closed on Mondays.
Maintain a quiet volume; do not touch exhibits unless explicitly marked as interactive.
