Kristalmuseum
Geological museum in the former town hall of Borculo with rocks, fossils, minerals, gemstones and fluorescent stones.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Kristalmuseum in Borculo opened in 1992 and is devoted to geology. It is housed in the town's former municipal building, built in 1887, extended in 1955 and now regarded as a municipal monument. The museum is run by the Stichting Geologisch Centrum Nederland; a large part of the work is done by volunteers.
The collection is divided into six thematic areas. For rocks, the museum shows examples from the three major groups: igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. The fossils are arranged from the oldest to the youngest geological era and give an overview of the development of plant and animal life. There are also minerals, gemstones and a fluorescence section in which stones glow under ultraviolet light. Another area explores the use of gemstones since antiquity, for example among the Greeks and Romans or in astrology.
The museum operates with a single flat-rate price, which includes coffee or tea with a chocolate as well as a geologist's answers to visitors' questions. It opens only in the main season; in winter it remains closed.
Highlights
- Six thematic areas: rocks, fossils, minerals, gemstones, fluorescence, history and use
- Fossils arranged by geological era from oldest to youngest
- Fluorescent stones under UV light
- Coffee or tea with a chocolate and a geologist's advice included in the admission
- Saturday tour at 11 a.m. in May and June
Permanent exhibitions
- Fossielen – Fossilised remains and impressions of plants and animals, arranged by geological era from oldest to youngest.
- Mineralen en Edelstenen – Minerals and gemstones in the collection, plus background on their use since antiquity.
- Fluorescentie – A wide variety of fluorescent stones that glow visibly under ultraviolet light.
- Founded
- 1992
- Operated by
- Stichting Geologisch Centrum Nederland
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €17.50 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | –The museum charges all visitors the same price, with no exceptions. |
| Groups | –Tours outside opening hours (up to 10 people): €115 per hour plus VAT, plus €17.50 admission per person. |
One flat-rate price for all visitors; included are access to the entire museum and the gallery, coffee or tea with a chocolate, a Saturday tour at 11 a.m. in May and June (registration via WhatsApp) and the geologist's answers to geological questions. Tickets are available online.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
Coffee or tea with a chocolate is included in the admission.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | In May and June a tour takes place on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. (registration via WhatsApp). Tours for groups of up to 10 people can be booked outside opening hours. According to Wikipedia, the museum cannot be reached while the access bridge is raised for boats. |
