Micropia is a museum dedicated entirely to microbes and microorganisms. The museum on the grounds of Artis Zoo occupies a medium-sized, two-story building and is distinguished by a combination of a real laboratory environment and interactive exhibits where visitors can see live microbes. The layout is arranged so that you walk along a circular route with various displays where both live and fixed specimens can be seen.
In the Amsterdam museum world, where much of the focus is on art, culture and nature, Micropia fills a unique place by focusing explicitly on invisible life. Where other museums exhibit natural history or animals, Micropia specializes in microorganisms - an almost unexplored part of nature in the city. As part of Artis, the adjacent zoo is not competition but rather a complement; both reinforce the scientific character of the location. Micropia also plays a bridging role between scientific knowledge and the general public, which sets it apart from classic nature and science museums in Amsterdam.
Micropia's contents consist of more than 40 life forms of microbes made visible under microscopes. The museum uses advanced microscopic and digital techniques to bring to life these organisms, which are invisible to the naked eye. There are also interactive elements such as the "Kiss-o-meter," which measures how many microbes two people share in a kiss, and 3D imagers that reveal movement and reproduction of microbes. In addition, the museum offers practical content such as daily orientation videos and monthly "Lab Talks" - short lectures on current microbiological topics. Unique is the integration of a laboratory where technicians actually maintain live microbes, allowing a rare behind-the-scenes look.
Micropia offers visitors a direct experience with living microbes and interactive digital technologies, making it an exceptional place within Amsterdam museums focused on nature and science.
This place is especially suitable for people who want to immerse themselves in a totally different aspect of nature and biology, beyond the standard zoo and nature museum experience. Those interested in science and the invisible life that surrounds us will find concrete and real offerings here. For those less interested in microbiology or looking for traditional art and culture, Micropia is less appropriate.
Museums in Amsterdam