The museum is situated in a former industrial plant that operated until the 1960s.
Rügen chalk is derived from the remains of microscopic marine organisms that lived 70 million years ago.
The open-air grounds feature a specialized geological garden displaying various rock types found across the island.
Visitors can actively search for fossils in a designated area of the former quarry.
The white chalk material from this region was historically used not just for writing, but extensively in medicine, agriculture, and high-quality paint production.
The surrounding landscape is part of the Jasmund National Park buffer zone.
The site uses its original industrial buildings to house exhibits on the socio-economic impact of the mining industry on local families.
The Kreidemuseum Rügen is located on the site of a historic chalk processing plant in the village of Gummanz, near Sagard. It stands as the only museum in Europe dedicated exclusively to the geology and industrial history of chalk. The facility incorporates a former open-cast mining pit and original factory infrastructure used for grinding and drying chalk. Visitors can examine original machinery, including a large chalk mill that remains on-site. The museum grounds include a geological trail leading to an active fossil extraction area. It details the formation of the island’s signature white cliffs during the Cretaceous period. Interactive displays explain the microscopic composition of chalk, primarily formed from coccolithophore skeletons. The site preserves both the industrial heritage and the natural history of the Jasmund peninsula.
The elevated view overlooking the historical open-cast chalk pit and the contrast of white sediment against the greenery.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe footwear suitable for walking on uneven, dusty quarry paths.
Bring a small bag if you plan to search for fossils in the designated collection area.
Check the museum's outdoor trail map upon arrival to time your walk effectively around the weather.
Do not attempt to collect fossils from the protected, active cliff faces of the nearby Jasmund National Park.
Closed during the winter months; seasonal operation typically runs from spring through late autumn.
No specific dress code, though outdoor clothing is recommended; do not remove geological samples from the restricted quarry zones.
