I03- Winterswijk - Steengroeve

In Winterswijk, limestone from millions of years ago is buried relatively shallow in the soil. The first quarry in the Netherlands was therefore opened here in 1932. The quarry is an opencast mine where mainly limestone is extracted. The mine consists of three quarries, of which only one is used today. The other two quarries have been declared a protected nature reserve. The limestone that is extracted here is used to make natural lime fertilizer for agriculture and asphalt concrete for road construction. Furthermore, the quarry is a paradise for lovers of fossils and minerals. There are regular open days in the quarry, where you can walk around the quarry and bring out the archaeologist in yourself. During the summer holidays, the limestone extraction in the quarry comes to a standstill and then a temporary theater is set up: the Steengroevetheater. The rock walls provide a particularly magical backdrop and the quarry itself is decorated with a stage, stands, tents and dining options.