Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet (Swedish Museum of Natural History), Stockholm

The Swedish Museum of Natural History (Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet) in Stockholm is one of the foremost institutions of its kind in Sweden, with its counterpart located in Gothenburg. Established in 1819 by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, the museum's roots trace back to collections acquired largely through donations to the Academy, which was founded in 1739. These collections were first made accessible to the public in 1786, well before the museum formally became independent of the Academy in 1965.

The museum's early history is marked by notable figures such as Anders Sparrman, a student of Carl Linnaeus and a participant in Captain James Cook's expeditions, who served as one of the keepers of the Academy's collections. Another significant contributor was Sven Nilsson, a zoologist, paleontologist, and archaeologist, who played a crucial role in organizing the museum's zoological collections during his tenure as keeper from 1828 to 1831, before taking up a professorship in Lund.

The museum's current home in Frescati, Stockholm, was designed by the architect Axel Anderberg and completed in 1916, featuring a distinctive dome. This building, as of 2014, is the largest museum building in Sweden. The proximity of Stockholm University's main campus to the museum underscores its importance in the academic and cultural landscape of the city.

A major feature of the museum is Cosmonova, Sweden's first purpose-built IMAX Dome cinema, which opened in 1993. Housed in a dedicated annex, Cosmonova also serves as the largest planetarium in Sweden, offering visitors a unique blend of cinematic and educational experiences.