Senckenberg Natural History Collections Dresden (SNSD)

Traces of nature

The Senckenberg Natural History Collections Dresden (SNSD) date back to the art cabinet established in 1560 by the Saxon Prince Elector August I. The collections, which comprise the Museum of Minerology and Geology, the Museum of Zoology and the Central Library of Natural History, became an independent natural history museum in 1728. The SNSD is said to be the oldest geo-bioscientific institution in the world.

With holdings comprising some 7.5 million items, the SNSD is one of the five largest natural history museums in Germany. Its diverse range of special collections are used to document, present and study the geological and biological history of development in a global context.