Fossilienschauraum Obernholz

About the museum

About 20 million years ago, the Paratethys sea covered large parts of today's Weinviertel. Numerous fossilised snails and mussels date from this time and repeatedly came to light in a sand pit near Obernholz; the local collector Gerhard Putzgruber gathered many of these finds.

In 1994 the municipality purchased the sand pit. So that the scientifically interesting finds would also be accessible to visitors, a small showroom was created in a wine cellar of the nearby cellar lane, officially opened on 16 September 1995.

Under the title "Ein Land versinkt im Meer" (A Land Sinks into the Sea), the exhibition tells of three geological periods: the subtropical sea about 20 million years ago, the deposits of a river about 30 million years ago, and a river delta about 16 million years ago. On display are snails, mussels, sea urchin remains, shark teeth and crustacean burrows, among other things; multimedia elements make Earth's history vivid. The former pit itself is no longer accessible due to the risk of collapse.

Highlights

• Fossilised snails and mussels from the Paratethys sea
• Shark teeth, sea urchin remains and crustacean burrows
• Deposits of a river and a river delta
• Multimedia exhibition in a wine cellar
• Stop on the museum hiking trail in Straß im Straßertale

Permanent exhibition

• Ein Land versinkt im Meer – Fossils of the Paratethys as well as traces of a river and river delta, complemented by multimedia elements.

Founded

1995

Operated by

Marktgemeinde Straß im Straßertale

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

The showroom is located in the cellar lane, which branches off to the north from the provincial road L1246.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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