Fossilienwelt Weinviertel, Paleontology theme park in Stetten, Austria
Fossilienwelt Weinviertel displays approximately 15,000 fossilized oysters that once accumulated on a tropical seabed millions of years ago, now arranged across multiple exhibition zones. The site allows visitors to examine the ancient reef layers up close and understand how they formed vertically over time.
About 17 million years ago, this region was a warm tropical sea where oysters thrived in massive colonies and deposited in layers. Geologists later discovered remains of numerous other animal and plant species, revealing the diversity of this ancient ecosystem.
The site reflects how locals have long recognized the ancient oyster reef beneath their feet as part of the region's natural heritage. Visitors can participate in hands-on fossil identification at stations throughout the grounds.
The park is accessible from April through October when the weather is more suitable for outdoor exploration of the fossil beds. Sturdy footwear is recommended, especially when investigating the excavation areas where the ground is uneven and marked with exposed layers.
A 16-meter spiral observation tower shaped like a giant snail shell rises above the site and offers sweeping views of the surrounding Weinviertel landscape. Inside, multimedia presentations bring to life scenes of the tropical prehistoric sea that once covered this region.
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