Haus Der Natur

What Haus Der Natur does

Haus der Natur is a natural science and technology museum and registered nonprofit association (Verein) headquartered at Museumsplatz 5, Salzburg, Austria, founded in 1924 by Eduard Paul Tratz as an ornithological station and now operating across more than 7,000 m² of exhibition space. Its offering spans 13 permanent exhibitions (covering evolution, ice age, the universe, dinosaurs, the human body, oceans, animal kingdom, Salzach river, earth history, crystals, Christian Doppler, habitat dioramas, and fables/myths), Austria's most comprehensive interactive Science Center, a large aquarium, and the newly opened 500+ m² Reptile and Amphibian Zoo (March 2025). A separate VEGA-Sternwarte observatory at Haunsberg — among the most modern public observatories in Central Europe — supports astronomy research, public tours, youth education, and corporate event rentals.

Underlying technology and research assets include the Biodiversity Database Salzburg integrated with the Observation.org citizen science platform, the international Rotifer World Catalog, a high-altitude research station at Großglockner, and multiple specialist working groups (entomology, botany, herpetology, malacology, ornithology, mammalogy, mineralogy/paleontology, astronomy). Revenue is generated through diversified, mostly transactional streams: museum admission (online via shop.hausdernatur.at and at-door), corporate event venue rental at the observatory (managed by contractual partner Choros Concept GmbH), educational programming for schools and families, an on-site Science Café, museum shop retail, and scientific publications. The institution serves a broad visitor base including general public and tourists, school classes, families, scientific researchers, and corporate event bookers, and is supported by the Province of Salzburg under the SALZBURG 2050 climate and energy strategy.

Name

Haus Der Natur

Legal name

Verein Haus der Natur - Museum für Natur und Technik

Website

https://hausdernatur.at

Company type

Private

Founded year

1924

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Haus der Natur is a 100-year-old nonprofit natural science and technology museum in Salzburg, Austria, spanning 7,000+ m² with permanent exhibitions, an aquarium, a new reptile and amphibian zoo, Austria's most comprehensive interactive Science Center, and the modern VEGA public observatory, serving tourists, schools, families, researchers, and corporate event bookers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Natural Science Museum

NAICS

Museums (712110), Museums (71211), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

akta.pro primary industry

Science & Technology Museums (THAJADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA), Museum, Zoo & Attraction Gift Shops (CRALAJAG), Natural History Museums (THAJADAC)

Keywords

• Natural science museum
• Interactive science center
• Public observatory
• Citizen science research
• Biodiversity education

Headquarters

HQ city

Salzburg

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Museum Admission Fees: Visitors pay admission fees to access all permanent and temporary exhibitions, the Science Center, and the aquarium and reptile zoo. Tickets are sold both online and on-site.
2. Online Ticket Sales: The museum operates a dedicated e-commerce ticketing platform (shop.hausdernatur.at) for pre-purchasing admission tickets.
3. Event Venue Rental: The VEGA observatory is rented out to companies and institutions for celebrations, product presentations, and receptions through the contractual partner Choros Concept GmbH.
4. Museum Shop: On-site retail sales of museum-branded merchandise, publications, and educational materials.
5. Science Café & Restaurant: On-site food and beverage service operated within the museum premises.
6. Educational Programs: Fee-based science shows, guided tours, school programs, children's birthday parties, holiday programs, and science courses for various age groups.
7. Publications: Scientific publications and books produced by museum researchers, including the Sonderband 'Die Schmetterlinge des Landes Salzburgs', 'Die Säugetiere Salzburgs', and Urban Ecology studies.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Haus der Natur is a natural science and technology museum in Salzburg, Austria, spanning over 7,000 m². It operates as a unified visitor destination combining an aquarium, reptile and amphibian zoo, an interactive Science Center, 13 permanent themed exhibitions, rotating temporary exhibitions, and the VEGA-Sternwarte public observatory at Haunsberg. The museum also runs structured educational programs for schools and families, conducts scientific research (Biodiversity Database Salzburg, Rotifer World Catalog), and rents out the observatory as a venue for corporate events.

Product overview

Haus der Natur is a natural science and technology museum in Salzburg, Austria, spanning over 7,000 m². The museum operates as a unified visitor experience with interconnected offerings: core products include the Aquarium and Reptile Zoo (with 500+ m² new reptile and amphibian facility), the Science Center (Austria's most comprehensive interactive science center), the VEGA Observatory (modern public observatory with public tours and astrophotography), and 13 Permanent Exhibitions covering evolution, space, dinosaurs, human biology, oceans, and more. Additional modules include Temporary Exhibitions (rotating special shows), Educational Programs (school visits, science shows, family activities), a Research Division with Scientific Collections and a Biodiversity Database, plus amenities like the Science Café, Museum Shop, and Online Ticketing. The museum also offers Event Location rental at the observatory.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VEGA-Sternwarte (VEGA Observatory): The VEGA Observatory operated by Haus der Natur at Haunsberg, one of the most modern public observatories in Central Europe, used for astronomy research, education, and public tours.
• Science Center
• Science Café

Products and services

• Aquarium and Reptile Zoo Live animal exhibits featuring aquatic environments and reptiles from around the world. Includes commentated feedings for visitors and a newly opened reptile and amphibian zoo with native and exotic species.
• Science Center Interactive science center featuring hands-on experiments including generating electricity with turbines, floating on hydraulic lifts, and building and testing bridges. Designed for self-guided exploration with no guided tours.
• VEGA-Sternwarte (VEGA Observatory) Public observatory offering guided tours, youth astronomy education, science programs, and astrophotography. Available for educational visits and corporate/private events.
• Permanent Exhibitions Thirteen permanent themed exhibition areas covering Evolution, Ice Age, Our Universe, Prehistoric Times and Dinosaurs, Journey into the Human Body, The Animal Kingdom on Earth, The World of Oceans, Salzach Lifeline, The Earth Through the Ages, Crystal Treasures, Christian Doppler, Habitats Diorama, and Man and Animal in Fables and Myths.
• Temporary Exhibitions Rotating special exhibitions covering various natural science topics, including dinosaurs, space exploration, crystals, art-science intersections, and specimen preservation.
• Educational Programs (Vermittlung) Structured programs for schools (primary and secondary levels), science shows, dark tours, overnight museum stays, children's birthday parties, holiday programs, Science Kids, and Bio courses. Includes nature and environmental education (NAUB) and astronomy programs at the observatory.
• Event Location Rental Venue rental at the VEGA observatory for corporate events, celebrations, product presentations, and receptions. Bookings are managed exclusively through Choros Concept GmbH.
• Science Café On-site food and beverage service operated within the museum for visitors.
• Museum Shop On-site retail sales of museum-related merchandise, books, and educational items.
• Online Tickets Digital ticketing system allowing visitors to purchase admission tickets in advance through a dedicated e-commerce shop.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Province of Salzburg (Land Salzburg)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Haus der Natur is an official partner of the Province of Salzburg and is committed to the objectives of the SALZBURG 2050 climate and energy strategy. This partnership supports the museum's sustainability initiatives and positions it as a key civic institution in the region.
• University of SalzburgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint scientific research collaborations including the Urban Ecology study published in Urban Ecosystems journal analyzing urbanization effects on biodiversity in Salzburg. Also partners in organizing the City Nature Challenge Salzburg.
• Alpenverein Salzburg (Salzburg Alpine Club)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of the City Nature Challenge Salzburg citizen science competition, which engages the public in documenting local biodiversity.
• Naturhistorisches Museum Wien (Natural History Museum Vienna)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of the international conference 'Symbiosis 2025: Envisioning Natural Histories' held in Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck in November 2025, bringing together museum professionals to discuss historical and contemporary perspectives on the intersection of art and natural sciences.
• Choros Concept GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorContractual partner responsible for managing VEGA observatory event venue bookings for corporate and institutional clients. Contact: Alfons Weißenbacher, [email protected].
• Haus des Meeres (Vienna)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner in an Austria-wide breeding project for the conservation of the Mexican Four-Eyed Octopus (Octopus maya), along with Tiergarten Schönbrunn.
• Tiergarten Schönbrunn (Vienna Zoo)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner in an Austria-wide breeding project for the conservation of the Mexican Four-Eyed Octopus (Octopus maya), together with Haus des Meeres.
• Interuniversitäre Organisation Kunst & Wissenschaft (University of Salzburg, Universität Mozarteum)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of the 'Symbiosis 2025' international conference alongside the Haus der Natur and Naturhistorisches Museum Wien, focusing on art-science intersections.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Museum für Naturkunde Berlin: Berlin's natural history museum with major research collections and large-scale exhibits. Closely comparable in combining public exhibitions, scientific collections, and biodiversity research output.
• Naturhistorisches Museum Wien: Vienna's Natural History Museum — Austria's largest natural history museum. Direct peer in scope (natural science collections, exhibitions, research) and explicit cooperation partner for Symbiosis 2025.
• Technisches Museum Wien: Vienna's technology museum. Direct peer across the technology-exhibition dimension of Haus der Natur's Science Center and space/Universe exhibitions.
• Senckenberg Naturmuseum: Frankfurt's natural history museum operated by the Senckenberg research society. Direct peer combining large public exhibitions, biodiversity research, and citizen science programs.
• Naturhistorisches Museum Basel: Basel's natural history museum with active research and broad natural science exhibits. Comparable DACH-region natural history museum of similar mid-scale footprint.
• Haus des Meeres: A public aquarium and conservation center in Vienna with similar live-animal exhibit model. Direct peer for aquarium and reptile/amphibian programming and partner on the Octopus maya breeding project.

Emerging players

• Universum Bremen: Bremen's interactive science center. Comparable in interactive, hands-on science-exhibit model to Haus der Natur's Science Center and STEM-oriented permanent exhibitions.

Broad incumbents

• Natural History Museum, London: One of the world's largest natural history museums. Broad incumbent comparable in scientific research, large-scale dinosaur and biology exhibits, and citizen-science engagement, though at materially larger scale.
• Deutsches Museum: Germany's flagship science and technology museum in Munich. Broad incumbent covering natural science and technology exhibits at much larger scale; comparable in science-center and STEM programming.
• Tiergarten Schönbrunn: Vienna's historic zoo and the world's oldest zoo. Comparable as a public-facing animal exhibit and conservation institution, and explicit partner on the Octopus maya breeding collaboration.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/hausdernatur
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/haus-der-natur

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Haus Der Natur