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#26 of 901 · Things to do in Brussels

Museum of Natural Sciences

Museums ·Brussels ·Open now
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#4Museums in Brussels#5Museums in Belgium
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About

Museum of Natural Sciences is Brussels’ natural history museum in Leopold Park, near the European institutions and House of European History.

Why go

  • The Dinosaur Hall’s 30 nearly complete Iguanodon skeletons from Bernissart.
  • The mammoth skeleton from Lier, Belgium’s largest mammoth skeleton.
  • The Gallery of Humankind, tracing human evolution from Sahelanthropus tchadensis to Homo sapiens.

Opening hours

Today10:00 – 18:00, 10:00 – 18:00Show all
MondayClosed
Tuesday09:30 – 17:00, 09:30 – 17:00
Wednesday09:30 – 17:00, 09:30 – 17:00
Thursday09:30 – 17:00, 09:30 – 17:00
Friday10:00 – 18:00, 09:30 – 17:00
Saturday10:00 – 18:00, 10:00 – 18:00
Sunday10:00 – 18:00

Don't miss

  • Iguanodon skeletonsSee eight authentic Iguanodon bernissartensis skeletons in a three-storey glass enclosure.Dinosaur Hall
  • Ishango boneA prehistoric bone counting tool described as the oldest known mathematical object.Museum galleries
  • Mammoth of LierBelgium’s largest mammoth skeleton.Museum galleries
  • Hainosaurus bernardiA nearly complete skeleton found in a Ciply chalk quarry.Mosasaur Hall
  • BiodiverCITY muralA biodiversity mural by artist Rocío Álvarez.Walls surrounding the museum2022

Know before you go

  • Tuesday to Friday: 09:30–17:00; Saturday and Sunday: 10:00–18:00.

What's inside

  • The Living Planet gallery occupies two renovated upper floors of the Cloister wing.
  • Permanent galleries cover evolution, BiodiverCITY and minerals. The Mineral Gallery includes crystals, cut gems, meteorites and Moon rock.
  • The museum also displays skeletons of Tyrannosaurus rex, Diplodocus, Velociraptor, Eoraptor, Olorotitan, Triceratops and Cryolophosaurus.
  • Temporary exhibitions use interactive displays.
  • An aquarium is part of the museum.

With kids

  • Children can explore discoveries through activities in the dinosaur collection.

Tips for your visit

  • Interactive temporary exhibitions are available.

Interesting facts4

1/4

  1. The Dinosaur Hall is the world’s largest museum hall devoted entirely to dinosaurs.

    Museum of Natural Sciences - Wikipedia
  2. 38 million

    The institute’s collection contains about 38 million specimens, including more than 20 million insects.

    Muséum des sciences naturelles - Wikipedia
  3. 3,000 square

    The museum’s dinosaur gallery spans more than 3,000 square metres and displays dozens of specimens.

    Muséum des sciences naturelles - Wikipedia

  4. The museum displays Neanderthals from Spy and a dog skull from Goyet.

    Museum voor Natuurwetenschappen - Wikipedia

Shorts

History

The museum began as a natural history cabinet in Karel van Lotharingen’s palace. The Bernissart Iguanodons shaped the museum’s south wing, designed by Charles-Émile Janlet.

  1. 1751Karel van Lotharingen established a natural history cabinet in his palace, the origin of the museum’s collections.
  2. 1846The museum was founded, with Bernard du Bus de Gisignies as its first director.
  3. 1878At least 38 Iguanodon skeletons were uncovered 322 metres underground in a Bernissart coal mine. Palaeontologist Louis Dollo mounted the skeletons.
  4. 1889–1891The museum moved to a former convent in Leopold Park and opened there to the public in 1891.
  5. 1898–1905Architect Charles-Émile Janlet designed the south wing to house the Bernissart Iguanodons.
Show all
  1. 1950Modern buildings designed by Lucien De Vestel were added for exhibits, storage and institute facilities.

Sources: Museum of Natural Sciences - Wikipedia · Brussels/European Quarter - Wikivoyage (see) · Museum für Naturwissenschaften - Wikipedia · Muséum des sciences naturelles - Wikipedia · Museum voor Natuurwetenschappen - Wikipedia · checked 28 Oct 2026

Where
Rue Vautier 29, Brussels

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

What are the Museum of Natural Sciences’ opening hours?

Tuesday to Friday, 09:30–17:00; Saturday and Sunday, 10:00–18:00.

Can children visit the Museum of Natural Sciences?

Children can explore discoveries through activities in the dinosaur collection.

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