Winterswijk, Henxel

There are only two spots in the Netherlands where you can find geological deposits from the Triassic period: South Limburg and Winterswijk. The limestone in the Winterswijk quarry was formed between 240 and 236 million years ago, back when this place was like a kind of Wadden Sea. Because of the tides, the inland sea regularly dried up. That made it the perfect habitat for both land and sea creatures.

The sea dried up, but all kinds of fossils have been found here. Shells, insects, fish and even traces of Triassic saurians have been discovered between the limestone layers of Winterswijk. These are now stored in a depot. In those same layers, you’ll also find Winterswijk’s ‘gold’ (pyrite).

Since 1932, Muschelkalk has been excavated here. There are three quarries, two of which are now protected nature reserves, and one that’s still active as an open-pit mine. During the summer holiday of the company that digs the limestone, the quarry is transformed into a theatre — and lots of people come to check it out every year. The tall rock walls, lit up by moonlight, make a super unique backdrop. Totally worth it!

The quarry is a special place. Not just because of the geology, but also because the eagle owl lives here — one of the few places in the Netherlands where it does. A pair of these amazing owls has been nesting here for a few years now. If you're lucky, you might even spot one!