Amethystwelt Maissau, Amethyst museum in Maissau, Austria

Amethystwelt Maissau is a mineral museum in Maissau, Lower Austria, where gemstones and crystals are displayed across several indoor and outdoor areas. At its center lies one of Europe's largest exposed amethyst veins, open to view in the quarry on site.

A large amethyst vein was found by chance during quarry work in 1845. Between 1986 and 1994 the Krahuletz-Gesellschaft Eggenburg carried out scientific excavations here and recovered several large amethysts. Mayor Alfred Winkler (1987–2000) then commissioned studies on using the deposit for tourism, and in 1999 the Maissauer Amethyst GmbH was founded with the town as main shareholder. The site opened as Amethystwelt in February 2005.

A chakra path leads visitors through seven stations where stones are connected to body and mind in traditional ways. Walking the path shows how people today use and interpret amethyst and other minerals in everyday life.

The site can be explored on your own or with a guided tour lasting about one hour. Sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate clothing are a good idea, since part of the visit takes place outdoors in the quarry area.

A dedicated prospecting area lets visitors dig for amethysts and keep whatever they find. This turns a visit into something hands-on, going well beyond looking at display cases.