History of the Ocean Museum Germany
Founded in 1951, Stralsund’s Natural History Museum moved into the historic buildings of St. Catherine’s Monastery with a modest collection that soon developed into an internationally recognised centre for oceanography and fisheries in the former GDR.
Following German reunification, the institution became a foundation in 1994 and was renamed Deutsches Meeresmuseum (Ocean Museum Germany) in 1998. Its success is built on the close connection between marine research and sharing knowledge with the public.
From Monastery to Museum: A Journey Through Time
St. Catherine's Church in Stralsund looks back on an eventful history: from a Dominican monastery to the Reformation, various interim uses, and finally the opening of the MEERESMUSEUM in 1974. The film is part of the exhibition at the MEERESMUSEUM Stralsund and uses impressive images to show how a place of worship was transformed into a center for science and marine research.
Chronicle
| May 2025 | Opening of the new aquarium tour at the MEERESMUSEUM |
| July 2024 | Opening of the exhibition and first aquariums at the MEERESMUSEUM |
| September 2021 | Prof. Burkard Baschek becomes scientific director at the German Oceanographic Museum |
| October 2020 | Farewell evening at the MEERESMUSEUM | The museum location closes for extensive modernization work |
| June 2020 | Handover of grant notifications for the modernization of the MEERESMUSEUM |
| 2010 | OZEANEUM receives the title „European Museum of the Year 2010“ |
| July 2008 | Grand opening of the OZEANEUM |
| 15.09.2006 | Foundation stone laid for the OZEANEUM on Stralsund's harbor island |
| 2000 | Restoration of the interior of the Katharinenhalle |
| 01.06.1999 | Opening of NAUTINEUM Dänholm Stralsund |
| 1998 | Renaming of the foundation to „Deutsches Meeresmuseum“ (Ocean Museum Germany) |
| 1993/94 | Transfer of the municipal maritime museum to a new governing body as the German Oceanographic Museum Foundation |
| 1992 | Honoring Stralsund-born natural scientist Prof. Dr. Hermann Burmeister: · Reconstruction of a Gothic gabled house · Establishment of a Burmeister memorial · Opening of an additional visitor room in the marine aquarium with 15 aquariums |
| 1991 | Construction of the NATUREUM Darßer Ort in the Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft National Park |
| 1991 | Foundation of the Association of „Freunde und Förderer des Meeresmuseums e. V.“ (Friends and Supporters of the Maritime Museum e. V.) | Today: „Förderverein Deutsches Meeresmuseum e. V.“ (Friends of the Ocean Museum Germany e. V.) |
| 1984 | 750th anniversary of the city of Stralsund: Opening of the extension wing of the marine aquarium with a 50,000-liter tank and a 30,000-liter tank |
| 1980 | Setting up the collection magazines |
| 1975 | Opening of the marine aquariums in the Katharinenhalle |
| 1974 | Opening of the „Meeresmuseums - Museum für Meereskunde und Fischerei“ (Maritime Museum - Museum of Oceanography and Fisheries) |
| 1972-1974 | Renovation of the former monastery church and conversion into an exhibition hall |
| 1968 | Construction of the first part of the marine aquarium in the basement of St. Catherine's Monastery |
| 1966 | Renamed in „Meereskundliches Museum Stralsund“ (Stralsund Maritime Museum ) |
| 1965 | Setting up the first marine biology exhibitions |
| 1958 | Museum becomes district natural history museum |
| 1957 | Start of the redesign and expansion of the Natural History Museum into a museum of oceanography and fisheries under the direction and concept of Dr. Sonnfried Streicher. |
| 24.06.1951 | Foundation of the Stralsund Natural History Museum by Prof. Dr. Otto Dibbelt |
| 1560-1944 | Use of the monastery complex as an orphanage, high school, warehouse, and storage facility |
| 1525 | Transfer of the monastery complex to municipal ownership (after the Reformation and storming of the church in Stralsund) |
| 1317 | Completion of the construction of the Katharinenhalle |
| 1251 | Foundation of the Dominican monastery of St. Katharinen in Stralsund |