Artis

Natura Artis Magistra

Natura Artis Magistra, universally known as Artis, is a prominent zoo and botanical garden situated in the heart of Amsterdam, Netherlands. Established in 1838, it holds the distinction of being the oldest zoo in the Netherlands and ranks as the fifth oldest operating zoo worldwide. Artis is a multifaceted institution, extending its offerings beyond traditional zoological displays to include a significant aquarium, a planetarium, an arboretum, and two museums: Micropia, dedicated to microbes, and the Groote Museum.

History and Development

The zoo was founded by three zoology enthusiasts: Gerard Westerman, J.W.H. Werlemann, and J.J. Wijsmuller. Initially, access was restricted to members, but by 1851, it began opening its doors to the public during September. By 1920, Artis became accessible to the public year-round, though September continues to be a discount month. The core property, formerly the "Middenhof" estate, was acquired in 1838 in the Plantage area, which was then a sparsely populated district on the outskirts of Amsterdam. From its inception, Artis exhibited both live animals and mounted specimens.

The zoo's common name, Artis, arose from the inscription above its three main gates: 'Natura', 'Artis', and 'Magistra'. As the 'Artis' gate was often the primary entrance, the name became widely adopted, eclipsing the full official title. The zoo has played a role in natural history, notably as the location where the last quagga in captivity died on August 12, 1883. For many years, Artis also housed an extensive ethnographic collection in its Ethnographic Museum, which was transferred to the nearby Tropenmuseum in 1921. In recent years, Artis has focused on improving animal living conditions, while its engagement with its colonial past in educational contexts has been more limited.

Architectural and Collection Significance

Artis boasts 27 historically significant listed buildings, bridges, and ponds, many of which remain in use as animal enclosures. The aquarium, built in 1882, stands on land leased from the city with the stipulation that only a museum could be erected there. The Heimans-diorama, dating from 1926, is situated behind the aquarium. The zoo's library, established in 1867, houses extensive collections on the history of zoology and botany, including the libraries of the Zoological Museum Amsterdam and the Amsterdam Botanical Garden, along with the archives of notable zoologists and botanists. It contains approximately 20,000 books, 3,000 manuscripts, and 80,000 animal prints, forming part of the special collections of the University of Amsterdam. Structures such as the wolf house and the Masman Garden House predate the zoo's establishment and are integrated into the site.