Fossilienwelt Weinviertel
Adventure museum with the world's largest fossil oyster reef, a researchers' park and fossil digging in the Korneuburg Basin near Stetten.
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About the museum
The Korneuburg Basin has been known as a fossil site since the mid-19th century. From 1975, a group of local collectors, the "Freunde der Mineralien und Fossilien" (Friends of Minerals and Fossils), documented the finds systematically; together with around 40 international experts, more than 650 animal and plant species were evaluated. Among the finds is the largest fossil pearl in the world.
In spring 2008 the final excavations of the fossil oyster reef began, and in 2009 the Fossilienwelt Weinviertel opened its doors for the first time. The reef is considered the largest of its kind and probably survived in its present form thanks to a natural disaster. The facility is owned by the micro-region 10vorWien; the Natural History Museum Vienna provides scientific support for the project.
In 2025 the Fossilienwelt reopened after a comprehensive expansion: the adventure museum is now interactive and multimedia-based, a multimedia show brings the oyster reef to life, and the large outdoor area has developed into a researchers' park with numerous play and research stations. The popular fossil digging in the sand bay has been retained.
Highlights
- World's largest fossil oyster reef with multimedia show
- World's largest fossil pearl in the adventure museum
- Researchers' park with primeval sea, giant shark skeleton and snail tower with slide
- Fossil digging for shark teeth, pearls and mussels in the sand bay
- Timeline through Earth's history in the outdoor area
Permanent exhibitions
- Erlebnismuseum und Austernriff – Multimedia journey back in time to the Korneuburg Basin 16.5 million years ago with the largest fossil pearl and a show at the fossil oyster reef.
- Forscherpark – Outdoor area with primeval sea, giant shark, primeval forest, researchers' trail and snail tower, as well as a 46-metre-long timeline of Earth's history.
- Founded
- 2009
- Operated by
- 1001 Themenwelten GmbH
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €14 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €11Pupils and apprentices aged 16 and over, military and civilian service participants, students, senior citizens and people with disabilities (with ID) |
| Children & teens | €7free up to age 5 · Children 6–15 years; children aged 4 to 5 free (adventure museum). |
| Seniors | €11With ID. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €11If a companion is noted in the disability pass, they can purchase a ticket at half price. |
| Students & apprentices | €11Also pupils and apprentices aged 16 and over. |
| Groups (20+ people) | €15 per personAdventure museum, researchers' park and guided tour, price per person (children 4–5 years €8.50); by advance booking only, without fossil digging, no NÖ-Card discount. |
| Families | –Family ticket with 15% discount: 1–2 adults with 2–5 children aged 4 and over, everyone receives the same ticket. |
| Adventure ticket (adventure museum, researchers' park, 50 minutes of fossil digging) | €24Reduced €21, children 6–15 years €17, children 4–5 years €12, with NÖ-Card €10; children up to 3 years free. |
| Researchers' park | €7Flat rate for everyone aged 4 and over. |
| 50 minutes of fossil digging | €10.50Flat rate; 10-session block €85. |
| Season pass (adventure museum and researchers' park) | €49Reduced €43, children 6–15 years €39, children 4–5 years €19; without fossil digging, no commercial use. |
Prices 2026. Regular price = adventure museum (single ticket); children up to 3 years free. Free admission to the adventure museum with the NÖ-Card; the adventure ticket costs €10.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The park-like grounds are largely barrier-free; exceptions are the snail tower and a path that leads up the hill from one side.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Playground / play area
- Kids’ birthday parties
Researchers' park with water playground, snail tower with giant slide, marble run and climbing wall; children's birthday parties in the birthday hut or in the tipi (Tuesday to Sunday), fossil digging for children.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Stetten (Bus 858)
S3 suburban train to Korneuburg station, then bus 858 (or 857) to Stetten; few services, no bus service on Sundays according to the website. Shared on-demand taxi for the Korneuburg district by advance booking: 0800 22 23 22.
By car: A22 to Korneuburg West, then S1 to the Korneuburg Nord exit towards Stetten and follow the signs.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
Beach wine tavern (snacks, menu as PDF), café and shop; eating food inside the museum is not permitted.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Private photography and filming are permitted; commercial recording requires permission. |
| Good to know | Adventure museum with oyster reef approx. 1–1.5 hours, researchers' park approx. 2–4 hours. Group and school programmes (approx. 2 hours with guided tour and fossil search) on request. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor area on a lead and with a muzzle. Note: mould spores cannot be ruled out in the oyster hall and the primeval trench. |
