Quarry Winterswijk, Limestone quarry and nature reserve in Ratum, Netherlands
Quarry Winterswijk is a limestone operation in Ratum that functions as both an active mining site and protected nature reserve. The rock layers from the Triassic period lie exposed at ground level, unlike the same formations found deep underground elsewhere.
Mining operations started as a strictly industrial limestone extraction site serving the regional economy. Over time, the site transformed into a dual operation that balances active quarrying with environmental protection.
Local volunteers host musical performances in the quarry theater during summer, turning the industrial site into a gathering space for the community. This transforms how people experience and use a space shaped by mining history.
Visiting requires joining a guided tour lasting around 90 minutes that covers geology, ecology, and local history. Wear comfortable walking shoes and be prepared for uneven ground, as most of the experience takes place outdoors in the quarry.
Eagle owls nest in the quarry cliffs, making this one of the few places where visitors can observe this rare bird species. The Muschelkalk rock formations exposed here are typically buried kilometers deep, giving the site unusual geological accessibility.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
