Minerals at a Glance

Highlights of the recently established mineralogy collection in the town of Probistip. Lava from Vesuvius, amethyst from Brazil, amazonite from Mariovo, and volcanic stone balls from Kratovo – these are just some of the highlights of the recently established mineralogy collection in the small town of Probistip in the Eastern part of Macedonia. It is a unique example of local cultural initiative and a remarkable way to boost the heritage of this extraordinary town. The collection is permanently exhibited in a big hall of the House of Culture in Probistip. Alongside the minerals, the exhibition features mining tools and equipment from different periods, including Roman diggers and a Saxon helmet. The collection has over 250 items and also contains old lamps, axes, leather bags and wooden casks. Especially impressive are the examples of barite, calcite and quartzite crystals from the nearby mine of Zletovo, excavated some forty years ago, at the level of 150 meters below the sea surface. The curator of the exhibition says these minerals are a rarity as they are hard to find in this form. Paradoxically it is almost impossible to find them at a deeper level, so that the mine galleries spreading to over 350 meters below the sea level do not yield such finds.  Read more …