Museum of germs in Amsterdam: an amazing world can be seen by everyone

At the end of last year, the world's first Microbial Museum was opened in Amsterdam. The idea of opening such an institution is quite unusual, because all the others demonstrate only the macro level of wildlife. The creators decided to show everyone that there is another world next to the person, which most people do not even guess.

The founder of the museum

The Museum of Germs in Amsterdam was decided by Haig Belian, who is currently the director of this institution. He himself admits that he had such an idea 12 years ago. However, it was not until 2014 that it was realized.

The museum is actually a zoo, because all the exhibits are alive.

A unique institution is located near the Royal Artic Zoo complex and is a part of it. About 10 million euros were spent on the construction of all the halls of the museum and the preparation of its exhibits.

Reasons for creating

The director himself told about what inspired Belian to open the Museum of Germs in Amsterdam.

Most zoos demonstrate a small part of the animal world of our planet. They are mostly large animals, birds and reptiles. At the same time only on the body of one person microorganisms more than all people on Earth. But the interest to them is revealed only by scientists. Undoubtedly, this is due to the fact that it is impossible to see even one of the representatives of microorganisms with the naked eye. But this does not mean that the bacteria should remain only in the field of view of narrow-profile specialists. If you do not open this amazing world to the masses, interest in this science will never appear. That's why everyone should know that the Museum of Germs opened in Amsterdam.

Exhibits

What can you see in this unusual museum and why are its exhibits so interesting?

The museum itself resembles a laboratory in which there are many microscopes and flasks. It is here that you can see 2/3 of the entire biomass of microorganisms that exist on Earth. But this is not the only thing worth visiting the Museum of Germs in Amsterdam. There is also a real laboratory in which specialists deduce new exhibits. To look into the world of science and see how scientists work, it is possible through a special window made of thick, impenetrable glass.

In addition, the museum has interactive screens. With their help, each visitor can check how many microbes live on his body and how they are called. For example, in the mouth of a person there can be about 700 different kinds of bacteria, and on the soles of the feet - about 80 kinds of fungi.

Also in one of the halls is a huge display on which visitors are shown exciting animation. It begins with the image of the human eye, on the eyelashes of which live tiny mites. After that, the scale of the image changes, and visitors have a chance to see who lives on the body of the tick itself.

Another exhibit is the model of the Ebola virus, which got a notorious reputation last year, and the human immunodeficiency virus.

An unusual and interesting attraction is Kiss-o-meter. With his help, lovers can find out how many microorganisms they exchange during a kiss. The museum staff conducted the experiment before the opening of the museum. 42 people took part in it. Couples kissed for 10 seconds. After that, scientists collected samples of saliva in order to find out what kind of microflora of the mouth everyone had and how many bacteria found a new place of residence.

Visiting time

The Museum of Germs in Amsterdam is waiting for its visitor daily. Tickets can be ordered on the museum's website. In addition, all interested persons have the opportunity to purchase the package "Micropia + Zoo Artis". The cost of tickets will be different for children and adults. So, the children's ticket will cost you 12 euros, the adult - at 14. All students can visit the museum for 7.5 euros. For kids up to two years, the entrance is absolutely free.