Graubünden Museum Of Nature

The Graubünden Museum of Nature (Bündner Naturmuseum) in Chur is a fascinating destination for anyone interested in the natural world of the Swiss Alps. Located just a short walk from Chur’s train station, the museum is housed in a purpose-built building designed by Bruno Giacometti and has welcomed visitors since 1981. Its origins trace back to the 19th and 20th centuries, when local enthusiasts began collecting specimens to document the region’s rich biodiversity.

Inside, the museum’s permanent exhibitions span four floors and showcase an impressive collection of up to half a million objects. Visitors can explore the aquatic life of Graubünden in the basement, discover native mammals on the ground floor, and learn about the area’s remarkable biodiversity—including insects, lichens, fungi, and flowering plants—on the first floor. The second floor is dedicated to geology, featuring rocks, minerals, fossils, and displays on the formation of the Alps. Notable highlights include Switzerland’s most significant gold discovery and the preserved brown bear “JJ3,” who roamed the mountains in 2007.

The museum also offers temporary exhibitions, a sensory “biodiversity exhibition,” and a play area for children, making it suitable for families. Admission is CHF 6 for adults, CHF 4 for students and pensioners, and free for children under 16. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00, the Graubünden Museum of Nature provides an engaging look at the region’s ecology, geology, and environmental history.