Fossilienwelt Weinviertel: A Journey Through Time

The Fossilienwelt Weinviertel, located in Stetten, Lower Austria, offers a fascinating glimpse into a prehistoric world. This unique attraction centers around a massive fossil oyster reef, the largest of its kind accessible to the public. Dating back approximately 17 million years to the Miocene epoch, the reef provides tangible evidence of a tropical sea that once covered the Weinviertel region. Visitors can explore the 400 m² hall containing roughly 15,000 giant oysters and learn about the diverse marine life that thrived in this ancient sea. The park also features a museum showcasing over 650 documented animal and plant species discovered in the Korneuburg basin. Highlights include the world's largest fossil pearl and a 17-meter-high observation tower shaped like a turritelladae, a fossil snail. Beyond the exhibits, Fossilienwelt Weinviertel offers interactive experiences for all ages. Children can enjoy the adventure playground with a mangrove forest, a water play area, a giant slide, and a climbing wall. Visitors can also try their hand at fossil hunting in the excavation area, sifting through sand to uncover shark teeth and other ancient treasures. A multimedia show transports you into the vanished tropical primeval sea of a long-lost era. Since the middle of the 19th century, fossils have been found in the Korneuburg basin. In 1975, a group of local collectors started documenting the findings. The theme park opened on June 5, 2009.