Museum De Oude Aarde
De Oude Aarde
A private mineral and gem museum by the canal, displaying geodes, fossils and gemstones from around the world, with a gem shop on site.
De Oude Aarde (“The Old Earth”) occupies an old farmhouse at Binnenpad 43 and is one of the better-known private mineral collections in the Netherlands. It displays thousands of minerals, gemstones and specimens from around the world, including amethyst geodes, fossils, meteorites and rough gems, plus a darkroom for fluorescent minerals. It is well suited to families or as a rainy-day option. The shop at the entrance sells gemstone jewelry and small mineral souvenirs. Admission costs about €5–7, and a visit takes 30–60 minutes. It sits on the canal in the middle of the old village, reachable on foot or by boat, and pairs well with the Giethoorn Museum.
Opening hours
About 10:00–17:00 (may be shorter in winter)
Nearby sights
- Giethoorn Village Canals (Dorpsgracht)
- Museum Giethoorn 't Olde Maat Uus
- Bovenwijde
- Giethoorn
- Dwarsgracht
- Steenwijk
- De Wieden Visitor Centre & Laarzenpad
- Blokzijl