The museum gained international fame for documenting the first recorded case of homosexual necrophilia in a mallard duck.
The collection includes a taxidermied sparrow that was famously shot after causing a massive toppling of 4 million dominoes during a world record attempt.
The museum building, Villa Dijkzigt, was originally built as a private residence for the Van Hoboken family.
The museum's 'Dead Animal Parade' exhibit was designed to educate the public on the various ways animals die, ranging from car collisions to plastic ingestion.
It houses a significant collection of fossils unearthed during the construction of Rotterdam’s port facilities.
The museum actively participates in European research regarding the impact of urban light pollution on local wildlife.
The Natural History Museum Rotterdam is situated in the historic Villa Dijkzigt, an 1852 manor house within the Museumpark. The collection emphasizes the relationship between humans and animals, featuring urban ecology and historical specimens. A primary highlight is the 'Dead Animal Parade' exhibit, showcasing a diverse range of taxidermy including unusual specimens like the Domino Day sparrow. The museum integrates local fauna studies, such as the analysis of urban bird populations. The facility focuses on the evolution of biodiversity within the Netherlands. It operates as a public-facing research hub for biological history in the Rotterdam region.
The dramatic, multi-level 'Dead Animal Parade' staircase installation.
Check the 'Dead Animal Parade' wing first, as it contains the museum's most unconventional and iconic specimens.
Walk through the surrounding Museumpark gardens after your visit, which host several other cultural institutions.
Look for the smaller, changing displays in the hallways that often highlight recent local biological discoveries.
Do not overlook the smaller, temporary exhibit placards, which often contain more humor and localized context than the main displays.
Closed on Mondays.
