The Natural History Museum is the most important centre of historical-scientific heritage in Galicia. The museum is continuation of the Natural History Laboratory that was created at the University of Santiago during the 1840-41 courses. The original collection was increased thanks to purchases, donations and exchanges with other institutions. The main forefather of the museum was also his director from 1932, the professor of General Biology at the Natural Science Faculty, Dr Luís Iglesias.

The collections are divided in three sections: zoology, geology and botanic. The visitor can explore the work of Galicia's most outstanding scientists from the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as the present-day research of the University of Santiago's different departments.