Natural History Museum of Mozambique

The Natural History Museum of Mozambique is a natural history museum housed in a Neo-Manueline building in Maputo. The collections span multiple floors with glass cases and dioramas displaying African wildlife and natural history objects.

The museum was founded in 1913 as the Museum of the Province of Mozambique and opened to the public around 20 years later. This shift to public access reflected the growing importance of natural history collections in colonial infrastructure.

The building displays Neo-Manueline architecture from the Portuguese colonial period, with decorative elements and facade details that echo maritime traditions. A garden on the grounds features murals by local artists, connecting the structure to contemporary art in Maputo.

The museum is located at the intersection of Rua dos Lusiadas and Avenida Patrice Lumumba, near Hotel Cardoso, making it easy to find in the city. Computer terminals in the building help visitors explore the exhibits and access additional information.

The collection includes preserved elephant fetuses at different developmental stages, offering rare insights into prenatal growth. Another highlight is a preserved coelacanth specimen, a fish native to the regional waters.

Location: Maputo

Inception: 1913

Official opening: 1933

Architectural style: Neo-Manueline

Website: http://mhn.museumoz.org/wp

GPS coordinates: -25.97731,32.58689

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:03