KALK

About the museum

KALK, known as Geomuseum Faxe until 2025, is located in the cultural center Kanten in Faxe, right at the edge of the large limestone quarry. The quarry reveals the remains of a coral reef that grew about 63 million years ago in the Danian on the floor of a warm sea and is now considered the oldest known deep-sea coral reef in the world. Since limestone quarrying began in Faxe about 900 years ago, countless fossils have come to light, including shark teeth, crabs, snails, sea urchins, and plants; in total, more than 500 species from this primeval sea are known.

The museum belongs to Østsjællands Museer, which also runs the Koldkrigsmuseum Stevnsfort. The exhibition "Danmarks fossile koralrev" shows finds from the reef, including marine crocodiles, sharks, fish, and nautiloids, and also tells how the special coral limestone shaped the landscape, working life, and buildings such as the Marble Church in København. At activity stations, visitors can sort real fossils and view microfossils under the microscope.

What makes it special is that visitors can become amateur geologists themselves: with rented hammers and chisels, or on guided fossil hunts, they search the active limestone quarry for fossils, which they can take home or leave with the museum. The staff help identify the finds.

Highlights

• Finds from the oldest known deep-sea coral reef in the world (about 63 million years old)
• Exhibition "Danmarks fossile koralrev" with marine crocodiles, sharks, and nautiloids
• Guided fossil hunts in the active Faxe limestone quarry
• Hammer and chisel for rent with an identification booklet
• Microscopes and sorting stations for real fossils

Permanent exhibitions

• Danmarks fossile koralrev – Fossils from the 63-million-year-old Faxe coral reef, including marine crocodiles, sharks, fish, and nautiloids, supplemented by hands-on stations with microscopes.
• Kalk og kultur – How 900 years of limestone quarrying shaped life around the quarry and where Faxe limestone was used in buildings, such as the Marble Church.

Operated by

Østsjællands Museer

Admission & discounts

Tickets for the exhibition are available at the museum's ticket desk. The K7 PLUS membership card covers admission and guided fossil hunts (reserve the fossil hunt by phone beforehand).

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum has two levels connected by an elevator; guided tours in the museum are wheelchair-accessible. The limestone quarry is not recommended for wheelchair and walker users, and motorized vehicles including electric wheelchairs and e-scooters are prohibited there. Pets are not allowed, but guide dogs and service dogs are.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The guided fossil hunt is meant as an experience for the whole family; children may take their finds with them. In the museum they can sort fossils at activity stations and view microfossils under the microscope.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

The museum shop sells cold and hot drinks, ice cream, and sweets for a small café corner, as well as souvenirs, stones, minerals, and books. Food you bring yourself is allowed on the terrace and in the covered seating area in the green space next to the museum, but not indoors.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit