Museum of Natural Sciences of Belgium, Natural history museum in European Quarter, Brussels, Belgium.
The Museum of Natural Sciences is a major institution housing extensive collections on Earth's history and biology in Brussels. The exhibitions spread across multiple levels and focus on evolution, fossils, minerals, and life forms spanning different geological periods.
The institution began in 1802 as the Brussels Museum and took its current form in 1846 when major private collections were acquired. Through the 19th century, it grew through excavations that placed Belgium at the center of paleontological research.
The museum reflects Belgium's long tradition of scientific inquiry, showing how fossils and minerals have been collected and valued over generations. Visitors can observe how these collections have shaped and continue to shape understanding of the natural world.
The museum sits near metro stations Maelbeek and Schuman, making it easy to reach by public transport. Guided tours in multiple languages are available, and on-site cafés offer refreshment during your visit.
The museum holds thirty complete Iguanodon skeletons discovered in 1878 at a coal mine, the world's largest collection of these fossils. This extraordinary find established Belgium as a center of dinosaur research and remains the museum's crown jewel.
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