The Paleontological Collection of the University of Tübingen — Attraction in Tübingen

One of the best collections on - mainly - Mesozoic marine reptiles I've seen to date. For, although thanks to the South-German palaeontological treasure trove that is the Poseidonia shale there are many museums in the area with collections on the subject, there are few that so splendidly bring in specimens from elsewhere to illustrate aspects of comparative anatomy.

Thus, not only will you find beautiful specimens from the region around Tübingen here - including various species of wonderfully preserved ichthyosaurs - you'll be able to offset these against plesiosaurs, pliosaurs, nothosaurs, mosasaurs, crocodiles and more. In addition, the museum houses a small sample of dinosaur remains - including locally found plateosaurs and a stegosaurus - as well as some stunning non-vertebrate fossil pieces, amongst which the blocks of ammonites stand out.

All of this makes the museum a must-see reference collection for those interested in dinosaur evolution and Mesozoic marine life. Don't expect any interactive presentations or models, though, as the museum's main purpose is to serve academic needs. However, amazingly, access to the collections is free, even if the museum is only opened during the university's working hours (plan in advance). When open, the museum can be found by entering the Geosciences faculty building, and walking down the hall to the stairway at the back. The museum's collections can be...

This museum, part of the University of Tübingen, might just be my favourite palaeontology museum of all time. Dinosaurs and extinct mammals are one thing, but the sheer abundance of Permian tetrapods and marine reptiles absolutely enchanted me. I wish I could have stayed forever... But I stayed for as long as I could, and I recommend you...

Great museum! A lot of epic exhibitions! And all for free!.. This museum deserves to be in one list with greatest paleo-museums in the world. And probably more commercial support. Must...