The Arabako Natur Zientzien museoa or Museo de Ciencias Naturales de Álava (Museum of Natural Sciences of Álava) is located in the Torre de Doña Ochanda, a medieval building situated in the historic center of Vitoria-Gasteiz, the capital of Araba. Established on May 16, 1986, the museum is dedicated to the preservation, research, and dissemination of the natural heritage of Álava and its surrounding regions.

The museum’s collections are extensive and diverse, encompassing areas such as botany, paleontology, mineralogy, and zoology. Over its more than three decades of existence, the institution has amassed approximately 612.000 specimens, organized into 22 specific collections grouped into 7 general categories.

The exhibition space is distributed across the ground floor and the first two upper floors of the tower. As is common in many museums, only a portion of the total collections is on public display, providing visitors with a representative overview of the region’s natural diversity.

In addition to its permanent exhibits, the museum offers free audio guides available at the reception desk. Visitors can also access content on their mobile devices via QR codes located throughout the exhibition halls or download the audio guides directly from the museum’s website.

The Museo de Ciencias Naturales de Álava serves as an important center for scientific education and public engagement, offering insights into the natural world through its carefully curated displays and educational resources. It stands as a testament to the region’s commitment to preserving and understanding its rich natural heritage.

More information: https://naturazientzienmuseoa.eus/