Naturhistorisches Museum Bern, Ausstellung der Schatz vom Planggenstock, ein Mädchen guckt über die grosse Kristallstufe

Giant crystals — The Planggenstock treasure

Permanent exhibition

This exhibition, a highlight of the Museum, presents one of the most important finds the Alps have yielded in the last 300 years: almost two tonnes of spectacularly beautiful quartz crystal, which are on display in the “treasure chamber”.

On September 21st 2005 the crystal hunters Franz von Arx and Paul von Känel opened up a cavity in the rock of their exploratory mine on the Planggenstock peak in the canton of Uri. There, glinting in the light of their torches, were almost fifty large, unusually clear and perfectly formed quartz crystals and crystal clusters. These are now on display in the Museum’s “treasure chamber”. Specialised lighting makes the minerals, which are as clear as glass, seem to glow from within. The jewel in the exhibition’s crown, a beautifully composed crystal cluster weighing 300 kg, turns slowly about its own axis so it can be admired from all sides. The short film which is shown in the cinema area documents the astounding work of the two crystal hunters.

This exhibition is available on izi.Travel App.

Plangenstock Kristalle Riesenkristalle NMBE Naturhistorisches Museum Bern
On 21 September 2005, the blasters Franz von Arx and Paul von Känel open a cavity in the rock in their small mine at Planggenstock in the canton of Uri. Copyright NMBE/Schaeublin
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