Winterswijk quarry

The Winterswijk quarry is located in Vosseveld, a part of Winterswijk in the province of Gelderland, Netherlands. This region lies in the eastern part of the country, near the German border, within the Achterhoek area, known for its geological richness. It's the only place in the Netherlands where Triassic Muschelkalk limestone surfaces, making it a unique destination for mineral enthusiasts.

The quarry is renowned for a variety of minerals, including calcite, celestine (noted for its blue color and collector appeal), galena, pyrite (locally called "Winterswijk gold"), and strontianite, among others like chalcopyrite and fluorite. Celestine stands out as a strontium sulfate mineral, highly valued by collectors.

Geologically, the quarry extracts sedimentary limestone from the Triassic period, about 240 million years old, formed in a shallow sea. Mining began in 1933, making it the first stone quarry in the Netherlands, and it's still active under Sibelco b.v., producing around 200 kilotons annually. Two of the three quarries are now nature reserves, offering a blend of industry and conservation.

Winterswijk has a deep historical root, dating back to 1000 AD, with a significant textile industry post-1870 and notable emigration to the US, especially Michigan. It's also linked to painter Piet Mondrian, who lived there from 1880 to 1892. The climate is temperate with cold winters and mild summers, and the quarry area includes a protected nature reserve with unique species like the eagle owl, enhancing its ecological value.