FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Robert Seitz]

Just back from a month in Cornwall. It was great to see minerals in displays, to obtain a few mineral specimens, and to see all the remnants of mining activity around tin, copper, and kaolin. It's actually surprising to see where specimens reside & the context of display. For example, saw a great English hematite in odd corner of building when walking Hadrian's Wall a couple years ago. If it had been nearer home, I'd have tried to obtain.

Next we are in Rome for 10 days. What mineral and mining related museums in near vicinity would you suggest?

Longer term will be in Prague, Vienna, Budapest for 10 days each. Likewise, what mineral and mining related museums would you recommend?

It's east to see some details on internet, but better to hear from this group!

Thanks,
Bob

[Peter Lemkin]

Living in Prague [as an expat] many years I can speak for this city....there are three major collections [in theory]. The largest is the collection in the Historical Museum at the end of Vaclavske nam.; however it has been closed several years for reconstruction and will remain closed for about two more years. The next best collection is in the Technical University in Prague-6, BUT is NOT open to the public - it is sometimes available IF and ONLY IF you contact a few days or weeks ahead of time and make an appointment and prove you are in some way knowledgeable about minerals. The third is the collection of the Geology Dept. of Charles University and I believe it theoretically has brief open hours each week, but it is best to make a reservation to go to that one too. Between the three, there are great minerals to be seen, but you almost have to live here to see them. There are much smaller collections near famous mining areas - Jackymov, Pribram, etc. Sorry, but Prague is likely to be a disappointment. I have seen all of the mentioned collections several times and they are all GREAT!, but chances of seeing them when visiting is not high - unless you plan ahead! The main collection in the National Museum is simply not available at all at this time - an absurd situation to be closed for five years.....but how things are done here.

[Tobi]

[Robert Seitz]

Tobi

Thanks for this. There is more time between the trips than I expressed in my question, i.e., wee are back in US and the other European trips lie in the more distant future.
Having said that we will be spending time in Germany during travels. A month in Cornwall was about right, so expect will plan accordingly for different cities and areas in Europe as time goes on. Marburg and Freiburg are definitely on the map.

Regards,
Bob

[Robert Seitz]

Peter

Thanks for this information. We will have time to contact museums prior to visiting. Is great to know this.

It's great to see how many museums are upgrading lighting and presentation of mineral specimens. However, is quite disappointing to wait on the pace. We were in New York at Museum of Natural History & see those upgrades will not be completed until late 2019. Ah well, another trip.

Regards,
Bob

[Peter Lemkin]