Geo-Museum Zurholt

About the museum

The Geo-Museum goes back to the collector Eugen Zurholt, who gathered rocks and fossils from Altenberge and the surrounding area over roughly two decades. His collection also earned recognition among specialists; he died in 2016.

The museum is today run by the Museumsverein Geo-Museum Zurholt Altenberge e. V., whose members carry on the founder's work. A mineralogist from the University of Münster provides scientific support.

On about 100 square meters, the museum displays fossils from the Cretaceous period, evidence of the Ice Age such as erratic boulders, minerals, and finds related to the extraction and use of Altenberg limestone. Rock thin sections can be viewed under microscopes; larger blocks stand outdoors in the boulder garden.

Highlights

• Fossils and minerals from the Altenberg ridge
• Ice Age traces and a boulder garden
• Rock thin sections under the microscope
• Fossils to touch
• Free admission

Permanent exhibitions

• Fossilien und Gesteine vom Altenberger Höhenrücken – Cretaceous fossils, minerals, and finds related to limestone quarrying in the region.
• Eiszeit und Eiszeit-Zeugen – Erratic boulders and other traces of the glaciers that once covered Altenberge.
• Gesteine unter dem Mikroskop – Thin sections show the internal structure of rocks.

Founded

2010

Operated by

Museumsverein Geo-Museum Zurholt Altenberge e. V.

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission; donations are welcome.

Accessibility

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

Under the title "Wenn Finger sehen!" ("When fingers see!"), there are fossils to touch.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Programs for kindergartens and schools on dinosaurs, fossils, the Ice Age, and climate; rocks can be examined under the microscope.

Getting there & parking

The museum is at Lindenstraße 8 in Altenberge.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit