About Naturalis

Collection

Naturalis collects, stores and studies animals, plants and rocks. The collection currently holds 37 million objects, which makes it one of the largest in the world. Everyday it continues to grow, thanks to the worldwide fieldwork by researchers and the many amateur scientists.

Research

Using this collection, researchers can perform groundbreaking studies.They do this worldwide, on location, and in the laboratories at Leiden. In doing so, they gain more knowledge on how nature functions, and how it can be applied.

Education

Naturalis transfers the knowledge and expertise it holds onto the researchers of tomorrow. This is done in the lecture halls of the universities of Leiden, Amsterdam and Wageningen, with whom joint research projects are also set up.

Museum

The museum allows everyone, from young to old, to be amazed by life on earth. By looking and - importantly - by doing. A visit to Naturalis is a unique window into the kitchen of the world of biodiversity!