Primeval garden: work in progress

Primeval garden:

work in progress

Work on our Primordial Garden began in early 2026. It is a place that is beautiful 365 days a year and different every day. The garden will be free to visit for everyone: museum visitors, local residents and passers-by. The Primeval Garden is expected to open in the spring of 2027.

A living
museum gallery

Naturalis’s Primeval Garden is not just any garden; it is a living museum gallery. The garden tells the story of plant evolution. You walk from algae and mosses, past conifers and grasses, to flowering plants and shrubs. In the amphitheatre, nature and education come together. Amongst the prehistoric plants, you can climb onto a prehistoric animal: the T. rex.

Planning
and completion

Construction of the Oertuin began in February 2026. Bit by bit, the garden is taking shape. There is more to it than just planting shrubs and trees. Water tanks are buried at the front of the museum so that rainwater can be collected and used to water the plants. The right type of soil is also being brought in for each plant species, and work is underway on the amphitheatre and a new bicycle shelter. Work will be nearing completion by autumn 2026, and from spring 2027 everyone will be able to enjoy the garden.

Curious about the work? Follow the livestream below.

Live stream
of the construction

External video URL

The Primeval Garden

Expected opening: spring 2027