More than 20 years ago, the geoscientific preparator of our museum, Thomas Bechmann, discovered a fossil site unlike anything previously known from Upper Franconia: thin limestone slabs — so-called lithographic limestones (Plattenkalk) — with an unusually rich abundance of fossils. Today, Wattendorf is rightly regarded as one of the most interesting fossil sites in Germany.

The Wattendorf lithographic limestones (Plattenkalk) represent a spatially very limited occurrence, confined to only a few stratigraphic intervals within a large quarry. From a paleontological perspective, these rocks are outstanding due to their exceptional abundance of fossils, which is significantly greater than that of the typical Solnhofen lithographic limestones from the Altmühltal.

In addition to terrestrial plants and invertebrates such as snails, bivalves, and crustaceans, a large number of different fish have been recovered, including several angel sharks exceeding one meter in length. Even more spectacular, however, are the coelacanths, one specimen of which is likely the largest and best preserved ever discovered in Jurassic lithographic limestones.

As if that were not enough, the vertebrate fauna also includes several complete turtles, marine reptiles, impressive crocodilian remains, and even a complete pterosaur. The preservation of the fossils is also exceptional; soft tissues such as scales or remnants of skin are often still visible.

The Wattendorf lithographic limestones were deposited approximately 154 million years ago during the Late Jurassic in a tropical shallow sea. These rocks are therefore somewhat older than all other southern German lithographic limestone occurrences. As a result, many of the Wattendorf fossils represent new, as yet undescribed species, making their study particularly exciting. Moreover, many of the finds display a remarkable aesthetic quality—numerous skeletons appear as if frozen in time.

Our permanent exhibition on the Wattendorf fossils presents the finest discoveries from two decades of research, while also providing insight into the fascinating geological and biological context of the Jurassic period.

Important Notice
For safety reasons, access to the Wattendorf quarry is strictly prohibited for private individuals. This prohibition is actively enforced. Moreover, it is not worthwhile to search for fossils independently, as the thin fossil-bearing layers are only exposed by excavators during official excavation periods.

Fossil Sponsorships Wanted
The Wattendorf fossils generally require extensive preparation work. In most cases, the fossils are still covered by limestone layers that must be carefully removed through painstaking preparation over several days. Our museum is unable to cover these costs entirely on its own. If you are interested in sponsoring a fossil, please feel free to contact us at any time!

The Bamberg Bird Hall – a historical natural history cabinet and a museum within a museum.

The Bird Hall is rightly considered one of the most beautiful historical natural history rooms in the world. It is a stroke of luck that this monument of natural and cultural history has survived more than 200 years of changeful history in almost its original condition. Let this unique “museum within a museum” transport you to another world!

The Bird Hall impresses already by its size: It extends over a floor space of about 200 square meters, its height is 8 meters. A mirrored vault with pointed caps spans the entire room. As a remnant of the former intermediate ceiling, an arcade provides access to the display cabinets on the upper floor.

On the walls of the lower floor, 15 distinguished display cases are integrated into the surrounding which is richly decorated wood paneling. Some of them are crowned by busts of famous naturalists flanked by putti. On other display cases, putti with garlands of fruit are enthroned next to urns of fire. Carved allegories of the classical elements – fire, water, earth, air – are found as supraports above the four rounded corners of the room on the lower level. The carvings are the work of Georg Joseph Mutschele, a well-known Franconian artist of his time.

A large, multi-part row of display cases stands in the center of the room. It was only integrated into the room in the second half of the 19th century. The four pyramid or obelisk-like display cases, which house the hummingbird, egg and nest collections, are always considered particularly attractive. The basic color of the room is white, but the backs of the display cases are set off in vivid blue.

The white color, the beautiful arcade, the strictly ordered patterns of the decorations, and the pyramidal and obelisk display cases are attributed to the Early Classicist style. The lush putti and depictions of fruit, on the other hand, reveal clear echoes of the preceding Baroque epoch.