Faxe Lime Mining
What makes Faxe Kalkbrud completely unique and worth a visit?
We will give you the answer in the guide that gives you the answer to:
Intro to the limestone quarry in Faxe
We asked the manager of Geocenter Faxe, Jesper Milan, what makes the place something special.
Listen here:
- faxing 00:00
In Faxe Kalkbrud, lime is mined daily for many different production purposes. The limestone quarry can be visited by anyone and everyone, around the clock, but is still used as a workplace in everyday life.
63 million years ago, the bottom of the limestone quarry was covered by 100 meters of sea, where all kinds of animal and plant organisms in the water have caused the large amount of lime that can be experienced there today.
The limestone quarry offers an exciting hike in a different landscape. The beautiful azure water that forms the lakes in the limestone quarry is completely free of planktonic algae and nutrients, which makes the water in natural lakes turbid.
It is a good idea to wear some good hiking shoes when you go for a walk in the limestone quarry, as you may well lose your footing in the limestone. In addition, a bottle of water and maybe some sunscreen is always a really good idea to bring on hikes.
Fossil hunting in the limestone quarry
Do you go with an amateur archaeologist in your stomach?
So read on here!
If you want to have a different experience, then you must would like to dig up animal fossils from the limestone and take it home as a memory of the visit to Faxe Kalkgrav.
Guided fossil hunt
One can choose to come up with one guided fossil hunt at Geomuseum Faxe (which is located right next to the limestone quarry). We have tried this ourselves and we strongly recommend it to get the most out of your visit. Here you can see prices, as well as read more about times and ticket purchases. It is important to mention that the guided fossil hunt only takes place on weekends.
Price for a guided fossil hunt:
Adults: Dkk 90, -
Retired and students: Dkk 75, -
Children and young people between 6-17: Dkk 50, -
Children 0-6: free
Fossil hunting on your own
You can borrow a hammer and chisel from Geomuseum Faxe, even if you do not choose the guided fossil hunt. Just be sure to come during the museum's opening hours (10-17 on weekdays, 11-15 on weekends) if this interests you. The price for renting a set of hammer and chisel is Dkk 25, -.
Faxe Kalkbruds historie
The calf quarry has been a workplace for many years now, and once upon a time it did not exactly take place with large machines.
In 1911, approximately every fifth man at Faxeegnen worked in the limestone quarry. They worked part-time and were increasingly full-time employees. The quarrying took place by blasting with dynamite, after which the loose rock sections were broken down and sorted. The quarry workers usually worked together in pairs. Generally, two workers could break two cubic fathoms (almost 13.5 m3) per week.
Map and hiking route
You can easily walk around on your own in Faxe Kalkbrud.
But if you want to get a map and follow a hiking route, you can use the Danish Nature Agency's map, which you see here: (click on the image for larger map)
The map is from the Danish Nature Agency's leaflet, which also includes descriptions along the way.
Bathing
Do you have to swim in the azure lakes of the limestone quarry?
There are many who are interested in this, and although the clear water is inviting for a dip, it is unfortunately not recommended to swim in the limestone quarry.
Bathing in the water is not recommended.
due to health risks in the form of cold shock (the water is very cold just below the surface, and can cause shock). In addition, it has also been reported that some guests have had rashes from bathing in the clear water.
Luckily, the beautiful view of the turquoise lakes is worth the trip alone.
Opening hours
Faxe Lime Mining is open 24 hours a day. You can visit the lime quarry whenever you feel like it (however, it is recommended to do it during the day so that you do not fall and hit yourself unnecessarily).
Geomuseum Faxe has the opening hours:
10-17 on weekdays
11-15 on weekends (until December 2020)
Parking
There are excellent parking options at Geomuseum Faxe, which is located right next to the limestone quarry and makes it easy to get further down into the limestone quarry.
Prices for Geomuseum Faxe
It does not cost anything to get down into the limestone quarry itself.
However, you can visit Geomuseum Faxe to get more information about prehistoric Denmark. You can not book a ticket in advance, you can just show up.
Adults: Dkk 90, -
Retired and students: Dkk 75, -
Children and young people between 0-17: Free admission accompanied by an adult.
What do the guests say?
Popular movie set
Faxe Kalkbrud has acted as a backdrop for several feature films and music videos due to the very special landscape, which can both look like something from another planet or just a sunny place by the Mediterranean. Therefore, the limestone quarry has been the backdrop both in a Star Wars project and in music videos for Christoffer and Medina.
The Danish Star Wars project, Shrouded Destiny, has Lars Mikkelsen as a contributor, and here it is fun to note the role of the limestone quarry:
Frequently asked questions about Faxe Limestone Quarry
Below we have compiled a list of all the conceivable questions we have received from guests - and which we can otherwise think of.
If you do not find an answer to your question below, you are very welcome to write to us at info@wordpress-378369-3668824.cloudwaysapps.com
Bathing in Faxe Klakbrud is not prohibited, but it is strongly discouraged as it is both dangerous and harmful to health. The water is very cold just below the surface, so you can get cramps and drown. Bathing guests have also had rashes from the water due to the PH value.
The limestone quarry itself is open around the clock. However, the Geomuseum's opening hours are from 10-17, if you want a visit inside, a guided fossil hunt in the limestone quarry, or to borrow a hammer and chisel to be able to try your luck with fossils.
There are parking options at Geomuseum Faxe (Østervej 2b, 4640 Faxe), where there is also disabled-friendly parking.
If you want to go down in the calf break, it is a good idea to bring:
- Good hiking shoes
- A bottle of water in the summer where it can get extremely hot
- Sunscreen as the white chalk reflects the sun's rays
At the Geomuseum, there are ordinary and handicap-friendly toilets. Down in the limestone quarry, however, there are no toilets, so it is a good idea to pee before going down there. Therefore, it can also be recommended that the visit to the tomb within the museum's opening hours.
There is a depth of about 45 meters
You will find the excavation at the town of Faxe in southern Zealand
Yes, it is still a workplace, so you have to be wary of large machines if you visit the limestone quarry on weekdays
You are welcome to bring your dog on your own in the limestone quarry if it is on a leash. There is no access for dogs at the geomuseum and to the guided tours such as fossil hunting. Only service dogs are allowed here.
Many people spell it Fakse Kalkbrud instead of Faxe with "x". The official spelling changed to Faxe in 2007, so many still stick to the old spelling. If you come across “Fax Lime Quarry” this is the same place it is.
More tips for Zealand?
Use our guide to Zealand, where we have collected a handful of good ideas and tips for Zealand, both regarding experiences, places to eat and accommodation.
Impressive and wonderful
Ein spannendes und wunderschönes Museum in dem Kinder (und natürlich auch Erwachsene) interactive und spielerisch die Geschichte der Fossilien erleben können.
Im Anschluss ist eine Wanderung durch den beindruckenden Kalksteinbruch wirklich sehr zu empfehlen. Auch die Erwachsenen können sich schwer der Versuchung entziehen nach kleinen fossilen "Schätzen" zu suchen.
Very exciting and free
Exciting and free and if you have children you should take the time to find fossils
super
Jedno z piekniejszych miejsc jakie mozna zobaczyc w Danii. Serdecznie polecam zwiedzic i przejsc sie na okolo jezior, widoki zapieraja dech, wyjatkowe miejsce a kolor turkusowy wody niewiarygodny.
Translated into Danish: “One of the most beautiful places you can see in Denmark. I highly recommend visiting and walking around the lakes, the views are breathtaking, a unique place and the turquoise color of the water is incredible ”