Kina

Kina is a natural science museum located in a wing of Sint-Pietersabdij in Ghent that displays minerals, fossils, insects, shells, and birds across multiple galleries. The specimens are arranged in separate rooms and offer a broad view of how nature's diversity is organized.

This institution started in 1924 as a school museum and grew over decades before becoming what it is today as Kina. Its roots show how educational centers used collections to introduce people to the natural world.

The collections here tell stories about how the natural world works, showing minerals, fossils, and animals from different environments that help visitors understand what shapes our planet.

The museum is situated within the abbey buildings and is easy to reach from Sint-Pietersplein in Ghent. Wear comfortable shoes as the various galleries require exploring several connected rooms.

A special feature is the Dinorama section showing prehistoric fossils where visitors can directly touch thousands of rocks and minerals on display. This hands-on approach makes learning about Earth's history feel immediate and real.