Palaeontological Museum of the University of Zurich, Fossil museum in Zürich, Switzerland
The Palaeontological Museum of the University of Zurich is a fossil museum that displays extensive collections of marine reptiles and fish from the middle Triassic period. The specimens come mainly from Monte San Giorgio in southern Switzerland and offer detailed insight into the life of past ages.
The museum was founded in 1991 and is based on fossil collections gathered from this location over decades. The holdings document about 250 million years of Earth's history, with the oldest pieces extending far beyond that timespan.
The museum displays fossils that show what life looked like in this region millions of years ago. The collection helps visitors understand which animals and plants once lived in this area.
The museum is centrally located in Zurich, just a short walk from major transport hubs. Admission is free, and you can plan your visit around standard opening hours on weekdays and weekends.
The museum uses sound installations to let visitors experience the vocalizations of extinct animals. This sensory experience makes the ancient animal world feel more tangible and impactful than static displays alone.
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