Exhibition “Skeletārijs”

At the end of its 180th anniversary year, the Latvian National Museum of Natural History is preparing a special event — starting 11 December, visitors will be able to explore the new exhibition “Skeletārijs”. For the first time in the museum’s history, an exhibition dedicated to vertebrate skeletons and their components has been created.

The Skeletārijs exhibition brings together a wide range of osteological material from the zoological collection of the Latvian National Museum of Natural History, as well as from the Osteology Museum of the Veterinary Medicine Faculty at the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies. Nearly 300 objects allow visitors to discover the diversity of vertebrate skeletons. The exhibition features the skeletons and skeletal parts of fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, including skulls, limbs, and vertebrae.

The items on display were created from the early 20th century to the present day. Latvian fauna is well represented, but skeletons of species found elsewhere in the world are also included. The exhibition introduces the main structural parts of the skeleton—skull, spine, ribs and sternum, limbs and limb girdles—describing their structure, function, and adaptations to the animals’ environment. A separate display showcases cartilage and bones that do not belong to the main skeletal sections, such as the snout bone of a domestic pig.

The rich variety of specimens allows visitors to explore and compare anatomical features of skeletons, as well as their shared and distinguishing characteristics. The largest number of objects is made up of skulls, many of which come from the historical collection of Latvian bird species. The display cases also include skeletons of a camel, greater rhea, pygmy devil ray, spectacled caiman, Galápagos tortoise and other animals. Visitors can also see a vertebra of a fin whale — one of the largest animals on Earth. The exhibition is complemented by interactive activities.

The exhibition opens on 11 December. Opening hours for exhibitions and permanent displays: Monday – closed Tuesday – closed Wednesday 10:00–17:00 Thursday 10:00–17:00 Friday 10:00–17:00 Saturday 10:00–17:00 Sunday 10:00–17:00

Admission to permanent exhibitions: Adults – €3.50 Students – €2.50* Seniors – €2.50* Schoolchildren – €1.50* *with valid ID

Combined ticket (exhibition “The Journey of a Natural Specimen to the Museum Collection” + permanent exhibitions with 20% discount) 21 November 2025 – 17 May 2026: Adults – €4.40 Students – €3.20* Seniors – €3.20* Schoolchildren – €2.00* *with valid ID

Tickets can also be purchased via the Mobilly app:

– Ticket prices are the same as when purchased at the museum ticket office. – When purchasing via Mobilly, please also add any free-entry category, such as preschool children. – Please present the ticket QR code to the museum administrator at the ticket desk.