Biological Museum

The Biological Museum is a small natural history museum on Djurgården, at Hazeliusporten 2, next to Skansen. Its main draw is a two-storey diorama filled with taxidermy of Scandinavian and other European birds and mammals, arranged in scenes of their habitats. Bruno Liljefors painted backgrounds for some displays, and natural light brings out their colours. The wooden building recalls Norse churches and has changed little since the museum opened in the late 19th century. Look for the skvader, a hare and wood grouse combined in one curious specimen.

The two-storey wildlife diorama

The museum’s central display uses a two-storey diorama to place taxidermy animals in scenes representing their natural habitats. It was an innovative way to present wildlife when the museum opened in the late 19th century, and the large installation remains the main focus of a visit.

The collection includes Swedish and other Scandinavian mammals and birds, alongside European wildlife and marine life. Some backgrounds were painted by Bruno Liljefors, whose dramatic scenes of Scandinavian wildlife give the displays their setting. Natural light falls across the dioramas, so take time to look at the colours and painted details as well as the specimens.

Find the skvader

One unusual specimen to look for is the skvader, a fictional hybrid assembled from parts of a hare and a female wood grouse. It has the forequarters and hind legs of a hare, with the back, wings and tail of a grouse.

The museum is on Djurgården, next to Skansen, in a brown wooden building whose design recalls Norse wooden churches. Founded by taxidermist and amateur zoologist Gustaf Kolthoff, it has retained much of its historical character and display style. An English-language guide to the exhibits is available, and guided tours in English can provide further context.