Next spring, Denmark opens the doors to its biggest museum project in modern times. The new Natural History Museum Denmark, set in Copenhagen’s Botanical Garden, brings the city’s national natural history collections together in a grand home, including underground galleries beneath the garden encompassing most of the museum to preserve the original Botanical Garden.

© Torben Eskerod

The museum’s debut is Denmark’s largest museum project in 130 years, spanning eight exhibitions (Universe, Earth, Life, Denmark, Arctic, Biodiversity, Humans and Ocean Hall) and creating a unique experience of natural history and humankind’s place within it. Throughout the rest of the year, the museum will unveil further details on its exhibitions.

“Our vision is to create a beacon for the future of natural history that strengthens the connection between people and nature,” said Nina Rønsted, director, Natural History Museum Denmark. “Nature is in crisis, and at the same time, many people feel disconnected from it. When we don’t feel connected to nature, we don’t feel responsible for it either. That is why our most important task is to help restore that connection – and to spark wonder that can spur change.”

The new museum aims to unify the Botanical Garden, historical buildings and new architecture. Underground galleries and structures will further echo the silhouettes of nature. The museum’s collection with span more than 14 million items collected over 400 years, from animals to plants to fossils to minerals.