Ozeaneum Stralsund
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Ozeaneum Stralsund is a leading public aquarium located in the historic harbor of Stralsund, Germany, and is part of the German Oceanographic Museum. Opened in July 2008, it features extensive exhibitions and aquariums focused on the marine ecosystems of the North Sea, Baltic Sea, and North Atlantic. The museum spans 8,700 square meters and includes the largest aquarium holding 2.6 million liters of water. Visitors can explore themed exhibitions such as "World Ocean – Diversity of Life," which highlights marine biodiversity and oceanographic phenomena, and "Baltic Sea – The Sea in Our Midst," dedicated to local marine life and environmental issues. The "Research and Use of the Seas" exhibition showcases marine research technology and the impact of human activities on oceans. The Ozeaneum has proven extremely popular, surpassing initial visitor expectations, and was honored with the European Museum of the Year Award in 2010. It also features engaging displays for children and interactive elements, making it an educational and inspiring destination for all ages.
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Tip: The Ozeaneum is open daily, with extended hours in July and August until 7 PM. To avoid queues, it is recommended to purchase tickets online in advance. Family discounts are available, and annual passes offer unlimited access to Ozeaneum and affiliated museums. Visiting in the summer months provides a fuller experience with longer opening hours. Note that the aquarium closes on December 24 and has occasional special closure days. Arriving early in the day can enhance the visitor experience by avoiding peak times.
Interesting facts
- •The Ozeaneum's largest aquarium holds 2.6 million liters of water, making it one of the biggest in Europe.
- •It received the prestigious European Museum of the Year Award in 2010.
- •The millionth visitor was recorded just one year after opening, on July 27, 2009.
- •Exhibitions include real specimens such as a three-meter-long swordfish stranded near Rügen and a preserved polar bear.
- •The museum features scale models of German research vessels like Maria S. Merian and Polarstern.
History
The Ozeaneum opened in July 2008 on the historic harbor island of Stralsund as part of the Deutsches Meeresmuseum foundation.
It quickly became a major tourist attraction, surpassing its expected annual visitor count of 550,000 within the first year.
In 2010, it was awarded the European Museum of the Year Award, recognizing its innovative exhibitions and educational impact.
Since opening, the Ozeaneum has welcomed over eight million visitors by 2022, establishing itself as one of Europe's largest oceanographic museums.
Place Guide
World Ocean – Diversity of Life Exhibition
This exhibition introduces visitors to the biodiversity of the world's oceans, explaining physical and chemical properties of different seas, tidal phenomena, and global ocean-atmosphere interactions. It includes displays of fossils, marine animals, and biological collections such as algae, corals, and sea birds.
Baltic Sea – The Sea in Our Midst Exhibition
Dedicated to the Baltic Sea ecosystem, this exhibition presents a relief map showing its depths, highlights environmental threats like pollution and shipping, and displays models of native seals and birds in natural habitats.
Research and Use of the Seas Exhibition
Showcases marine research technology, including deep-sea landers, models of German research ships, and historical diving equipment. The exhibition simulates the experience of being aboard a research vessel and discusses the impact of human activities like overfishing and pollution.
Contact
Phone: 03831 2650610
