Ottoneum, Natural history museum and former theater in Kassel, Germany.
The Ottoneum is a former theater building from the 17th century in Kassel that now houses natural science collections. The exhibitions display preserved animals, rocks, fossils, and plants arranged across several rooms of the historic structure.
The building was constructed in 1606 as Germany's first permanent theater and shaped the city's cultural life for centuries. In the late 19th century it was converted into a natural history museum while keeping its historic architecture intact.
The building is named after Landgrave Otto and once served as the heart of theatrical performances in the city. Today visitors can see how the space was used for entertainment and recognize its importance in the local cultural life.
The museum is accessible to visitors Tuesday through Sunday, with the galleries generally accessible for wheelchair users. Regular guided tours are offered to help visitors understand the collections and the historic building better.
The museum preserves an elephant skeleton that writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe used for his anatomical research. This specimen reveals how major thinkers of the time engaged with scientific study in this space.
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