Artis Amsterdam Royal Zoo, formally known as Natura Artis Magistra, is the oldest zoo in the Netherlands and one of the oldest zoos in the world still in operation. Founded in 1838 by three zoology enthusiasts nicknamed ‘the three Ws’ — Gerard Westerman, J.W.H. Werlemann, and J.J. Wijsmuller — the zoo began as a members-only society before opening to the paying public in 1851.
Tucked into Amsterdam’s Plantage district just east of the city center, Artis blends animal exhibits with a botanical garden, a historic aquarium building dating to 1882, a planetarium, and the modern Micropia museum devoted to microorganisms. Its royal designation and 27 protected historic buildings and structures reflect nearly two centuries of continuous operation on the same grounds.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Opened: 1838 (public access from 1851)
- Size: About 14 hectares (35 acres)
- Species: About 900 animal species
- Annual visitors: About 1.27 million (2024)
- Famous for: Oldest zoo in the Netherlands and a historic 1882 aquarium building
A Living Piece of Amsterdam History
Artis occupies the former Middenhof estate, purchased by its founding society in 1838, and much of the zoo’s original 19th-century architecture still stands today. The site includes 27 historic buildings, bridges, and ponds, giving visitors the sense of walking through a Victorian-era garden even as they view modern animal enclosures.
One of the zoo’s most notable historical footnotes is a somber one: the last quagga, a now-extinct subspecies of plains zebra, died in captivity at Artis on August 12, 1883, making the zoo part of a pivotal moment in conservation history.
More Than Just Animals
Beyond its roughly 900 animal species, Artis houses a public aquarium built in 1882, a planetarium, an arboretum, and Micropia — billed as the world’s first museum dedicated entirely to microbes. The adjoining Groote Museum adds natural history exhibits, making Artis as much a science and culture campus as a traditional zoo.
This combination of attractions helped Artis draw about 1.27 million visitors in 2024, cementing its place as one of Amsterdam’s most-visited cultural institutions.
Explore more: Explore more top zoos and aquariums.
Artis Amsterdam Royal Zoo FAQs
How old is Artis Amsterdam Royal Zoo?
Artis was founded in 1838, making it the oldest zoo in the Netherlands. It opened to paying members of the public in 1851.
How many animals does Artis have?
Artis is home to roughly 900 animal species across its zoo, aquarium, and other exhibits.
What else is there to see at Artis besides the zoo?
In addition to animal exhibits, Artis includes a historic aquarium building from 1882, a planetarium, an arboretum, and the Micropia museum dedicated to microorganisms.
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Photo: The original uploader was Mtcv at Dutch Wikipedia. / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.