When does the exhibition start?

The exhibition starts on 07.04.2026 at 10:00 AM.

How long does Pests!? run?

According to exhibition information, the special exhibition runs until 06.09.2026.

How much is the admission fee?

The admission for adults is 5 Euros. Reduced tickets cost 3 Euros.

Is the museum barrier-free?

Yes, the Natural History Museum in Ottoneum has barrier-free access as well as WC and changing table.

Are there guided tours or educational offerings?

Yes, inquiries for guided tours and events go through the museum's info and registration phone.

Where is the museum located?

The Natural History Museum in Ottoneum is located at Steinweg 2, 34117 Kassel.

When Pests Speak: Kassel's Natural History Museum Opens a New Perspective on Animals

Name: Pests!?
Start: 2026-04-07T12:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-09-06T20:00:00+02:00
Location: Naturkundemuseum im Ottoneum

Pests!? at the Natural History Museum in Ottoneum: When pests become an art experience

The special exhibition Pests!? at the Natural History Museum in Ottoneum in Kassel focuses on animals that are often viewed with fear, disgust, or defensiveness. However, this is where an enlightening art experience begins: The exhibition questions attributions, ecological contexts, and the role of those species that we hastily label as disturbing, dangerous, or useless.

Between Horror, Curiosity, and Nature Perception

Mosquitoes, raccoons, anacondas, and great white sharks appear in this exhibition not merely as sensational creatures but as triggers for a precise consideration of works in the broader sense: What stories do we tell about animals? What images shape our gaze? And how do perceptions and judgments shift when natural scientific communication, scientific order, and museum staging come together?

Biological Diversity Instead of Hasty Labels

The exhibition illustrates that even unpopular animals have an ecological function. It opens up a view of biodiversity, habitats, and nutrient cycles. The Natural History Museum combines scientific expertise with cultural education and explains why the relationship between humans and animals is always influenced by living space, usage conflicts, and responsibility.

A Museum with a Long Research Tradition

The Natural History Museum in Ottoneum is one of the most traditional natural history institutions in Germany. The Ottoneum itself was built in 1606 and is considered the first building in Germany constructed exclusively for theatrical purposes. Today, the museum houses a comprehensive collection and works with its own scientific journal as well as educational offerings for various target groups. This combination of historical depth, collection culture, and modern museum education gives the exhibition special authority.

Education, Tours, and Visitor Experience

Visitors benefit from barrier-free access and educational offerings. The special exhibition is designed for a vivid, sensory, and simultaneously educational exhibition atmosphere. Those who visit the exhibition not only experience natural history but also an aesthetic experience that questions prejudices and connects scientific knowledge with emotional appeal.

Conclusion

Pests!? is more than an exhibition about unwanted animals. It is an invitation to look more closely, understand ecological connections, and rethink the relationship between humans and nature. Anyone interested in natural history, museum culture, and intelligently staged knowledge transfer should experience this special exhibition live.