Mission museum, Steyl

The Mission museum in Steyl is a collection of over 1000 preserved specimens from around the world, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, butterflies, beetles, and scorpions. These items come from expeditions and travels undertaken by missionaries.

The museum was founded in 1931 and grew from a collection of natural specimens gathered by missionaries of the Society of the Divine Word during their worldwide travels. It reflects the work of a mission organization that built global connections.

The museum displays objects gathered by Catholic missionaries during their travels across China, Papua New Guinea, Ghana, and Paraguay. These items tell the story of encounters between outsiders and local communities in distant lands.

The location is easy to reach and offers a good overview of the entire collection in a manageable timeframe. Plan to spend about two to three hours viewing the exhibits at a comfortable pace.

A mechanized taxidermied bear with crossed eyes greets visitors at the entrance, showing the early preservation techniques used by missionary naturalists. This unusual detail is a relic from when such conservation methods were new and experimental.

GPS coordinates: 51.33367,6.12027

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:42