Muzeum vltavínů

Useful Information

Location:	In the town Český Krumlov, southern Bohemia. In the cellar below the town hall, Panská No. 19. (48°48‘40.354“N, 14°18‘52.201“E)
Open:	All year daily 10-18. [2020]
Fee:	Adults CZK 149, Students CZK 99, Children (0-10) free, Seniors CZK 99, Disabled CZK 99, Family (2+*) CZK 298. Groups (10+): School Pupils CZK 49, if booked in advance. [2020]
Classification:	Museum Cellar
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Muzeum vltavínů, Panská 19, Český Krumlov, Tel: +420-734-174-130. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1992	Historic Centre of Český Krumlov inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
2006	association founded to create a museum dedicated to moldavites.
2008	last moldavite mine in the area closed.
20-JUN-2013	museum opened to the public.

Description

The Muzeum vltavínů (Moldavite Museum) is dedicated to the South Bohemian Vltavínů (moldavites), the only gems created by the impact of a meteorite on Earth. They were formed 15 million years ago during the impact of a huge meteorite in Bavaria, which created the Nördlinger Ries. The resulting catastrophic explosion threw molten rocks up to a distance of 400 km. The molten rock became glass, bright green pieces which look pieces of green bottles, which were sandblasted. The meteorite came from the southwest, so most pieces were hurled away into northeastern direction, which is here in south Bohemia. They belong to the tectites, which are actually rocks from the earth crust altered by a meteor impact.

The moldavites are collected in the area, but unfortunately there are many illegal mineral collectors, which destroy the soil and forests by digging for the tectites. During the last 20 years tens of hectares of forests and fields have been destroyed. The reasons are increasing unemployment in the area and the rising prices for the Moldavites. The idea is now to open a legal moldavite mine, which would stop the price spiral. The last mine at Kaplice was closed in 2008 after the local deposit was depleted, and public protests prevented the opening of other mines. The problem is that the moldavites fell on the surface 15 Million years ago and are now covered by some two meters of soil and sand. To mine them, a huge area has to be uncovered and a lunar landscape remains, which must be reclaimed.

The museum is located in the cellar of the house Panská 19 in Český Krumlov. This historic building is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List inscription of Český Krumlov. The moldavites are also listed under the UNESCO Geopark Ries.