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Robert Seitz
Joined: 29 Dec 2015
Posts: 261
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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Posted: Oct 16, 2018 17:46 Post subject: European Mineral and Mining Museums |
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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 |
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Peter Lemkin
Joined: 18 Nov 2016
Posts: 398
Location: Prague
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Posted: Oct 16, 2018 22:31 Post subject: Re: European Mineral and Mining Museums |
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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. |
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Tobi
Site Admin
Joined: 07 Apr 2009
Posts: 4186
Location: Germany
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Posted: Oct 17, 2018 01:32 Post subject: Re: European Mineral and Mining Museums |
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Robert Seitz wrote: | Just back from a month in Cornwall [...] 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? |
Hi Bob, when you come from Cornwall and your next destinations are Rome, Vienna, Prague and Budapest, I guess you'll cross Germany - so I recommend the Museum here in Marburg and the Terra Mineralia in Freiberg ;-) |
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Robert Seitz
Joined: 29 Dec 2015
Posts: 261
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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Posted: Oct 17, 2018 10:45 Post subject: Re: European Mineral and Mining Museums |
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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 |
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Robert Seitz
Joined: 29 Dec 2015
Posts: 261
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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Posted: Oct 17, 2018 10:47 Post subject: Re: European Mineral and Mining Museums |
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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 |
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Peter Lemkin
Joined: 18 Nov 2016
Posts: 398
Location: Prague
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Posted: Oct 17, 2018 11:03 Post subject: Re: European Mineral and Mining Museums |
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Robert Seitz wrote: | 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 |
While the National Museum will [I hear] have new cabinets and lighting, the others do not....think circa 1850 for cabinets and stands/labels and 1900 lighting. It was like that at the fantastic collection at the National Museum before it closed for an endless reconstruction. I used to bring my OWN light...which caused the docents [older women who watch visitors] to follow me at very close range - sure I was planning on breaking into the cases..in fact, I was just trying to SEE the specimens. If you need any help here PM me. |
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Robert Seitz
Joined: 29 Dec 2015
Posts: 261
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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Posted: May 10, 2024 13:28 Post subject: Re: European Mineral and Mining Museums |
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I will be in Nuremburg & Strasbourg this summer. Can you recommend any good museums to visit for mineral exhibits?
Bob |
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Roger Warin
Joined: 23 Jan 2013
Posts: 1194
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Posted: May 10, 2024 22:14 Post subject: Re: European Mineral and Mining Museums |
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Hello,
There is obviously the “Natur Musée” or National Museum of Natural History of Luxembourg.
It is located in the Latin Quarter of the city, at the foot of the cliff where the banks are located. It's the Grund. Access by elevator.
Contact Dr Simon Philippo, the curator, or even Dr Peter Lyckberg who works in Luxembourg, if you know him.
My opinion on showcases, they must cost the price of your best specimen. |
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Robert Seitz
Joined: 29 Dec 2015
Posts: 261
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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Posted: May 11, 2024 11:46 Post subject: Re: European Mineral and Mining Museums |
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Thanks.
An interesting thought on the magnitude for showcases. |
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Tobi
Site Admin
Joined: 07 Apr 2009
Posts: 4186
Location: Germany
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Posted: May 15, 2024 08:57 Post subject: Re: European Mineral and Mining Museums |
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Robert Seitz wrote: | I will be in Nuremburg & Strasbourg this summer. Can you recommend any good museums to visit for mineral exhibits?
Bob | Hi Bob, I don't know any museum in Nürnberg or nearby. But when you come the long way from Arizona to Germany and if you don't mind traveling around here:
~ 350 km away from Nürnberg lies Freiberg where you have the chance of seeing Terra Mineralia (for sure one of the best mineral collections/museums in the world) and the Krügerhaus (for sure THE best collection of German minerals in the world). I was there some years ago and it is as thrilling as you would expect.
And within half the distance you could travel to München and visit the Museum Mineralogia München, formerly known as Reich der Kristalle. Haven't been there but as far as I know this is also a great collection.
Only ~ 100 km away from Nürnberg lies Würzburg, this city has a mineral museum (haven't been there, don't know if it is good).
And finally, if you head towards France and cross the south-west of Germany:
Maybe you plan a trip to Idar-Oberstein (~ 200 km away from Straßbourg), Germany's Gem City. There you will find many things related to mining and gem cutting, including a mineral museum and the German gem museum.
And even closer (only ~ 60-70 km away from the border to France and Straßbourg) you could visit Clara Mine in Black Forest. One of Germany's most famous mines has a wonderful museum that combines minerals and mathematics. I was there and can highly recommend this.
I know none of these are directly in Nürnberg or Straßbourg, but maybe one of them could be a destination for your journey to Germany and France.
Best regards
Tobi |
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Riccardo Modanesi
Joined: 07 Nov 2011
Posts: 623
Location: Milano
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Posted: May 16, 2024 11:43 Post subject: Re: European Mineral and Mining Museums |
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Hi to everybody!
As I am Italian, I can recommend you the Natural History Museum in Milan, but there is one in Rome too! Then there is one in Trento, Northern Italy, and historical mines in Sicily and in Tuscany which have been transformed in museums! But the Milanese and the Roman ones are the best in my country.
Greetings by Riccardo. _________________ Hi! I'm a collector of minerals since 1973 and a gemmologist. On Summer I always visit mines and quarries all over Europe looking for minerals! Ok, there is time to tell you much much more! Greetings from Italy by Riccardo. |
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Robert Seitz
Joined: 29 Dec 2015
Posts: 261
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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Posted: May 19, 2024 14:28 Post subject: Re: European Mineral and Mining Museums |
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Tobi
Thanks for the suggestions. I am keeping a list of museums to visit when travels take me nearby. Sometimes the little museums in former mining areas present great surprises.
Bob |
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