Does anyone if there are mines or fossil hunting areas that are open to the public? I am not limited to any one area of Europe. I just thought it would be a good way to spend sometime outside and get a souvenir at the same time.
Posted by
Charlotte, NC, USA
3428 posts
We toured an old silver mine not too far from Oslo Norway. It is not an active mine and you can't "take" any souvenirs- though they do have a lovely rather rustic shop. There is also a cobalt mine in the area that gives tours.
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
9214 posts
Here is a link to a place in Germany. It is in German, but you can get the main idea of what is there and how to get there. http://www.urweltsteinbruch.de/ Messel is the most famous spot in Germany for fossils and is now a UNESCO site. You can visit it and tour it, but it doesn't look like you can dig and search here by yourself: http://home.bawue.de/~wmwerner/english/heritage/messel_e.html http://www.grube-messel.de/
Posted by
Seattle
4637 posts
Silver mines from middle ages in Kutna Hora. Coal mines in Ostrava. Both in Czech Republic. Google: Ostrava mines opened to public.
Posted by
OP
Lakewood, WA
110 posts
Thank you for the help. I will be sure to bookmark the sites so I can work them into my travels plans.
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
There is a place near the Dalles, Oregon that has fossil hunting. Have you been there? I've never checked to see if fossil hunting is available in Europe. We went on a Salt Mine tour in Berchtesgaden. You can probably find other types of mine tours too.
Posted by
Boscombe, Dorset, UK
964 posts
The Jurassic coast in the UK. Go to Lyme Regis, Dorset and explore the beach. Lots of fossils!
Posted by
Atlanta
800 posts
Maggie beat me to it - so consider this a second rec for Lyme Regis. SO great - the fossils really are just lying on the beach including big ones that you can't pick up. It is where young Mary Anning found the first complete Ichthyosaur. The museum is quite nice and a plus for any Jane Austen fans as there is a section about her stay in the area.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8037 posts
For what it is worth, please check into any customs requirements that may apply to anything that you may bring home. Many European countries have laws related to antiquities limiting what may be transported out of the country, regardless of laws of what may be sold within the country. Bottom line is, you may be able to find or buy items at a dealer or site, but when you go to leave, find that you do not have the proper paperwork, or worse, have the items consifscated. Better to know the limits than run into problems.