MUTHMANNSDORF. Around 70 million years ago, when our homeland had a tropical climate and what is now the “New World” was still marshland, a harmless dinosaur lived here surrounded by predatory dinosaurs and pterosaurs “should become famous.
“Struthi”, as he was popularly known, was a loner and fed exclusively on plants. It was about 2.5 m long and had a back covered with large scales. Massive bone plates and long spikes in the neck and shoulder area gave him additional protection. He used his club-like tail for defense.
In 1859 his remains were found in Muthmannsdorf in a coal mine at the foot of the Hohe Wand. Because of this unique geological achievement, Muthmannsdorf is now one of Austria’s most important dinosaur sites.
The smallest dinosaur museum in the world
Casts of the bones found can be viewed either in Muthmannsdorf on the main square in a display case or in Winzendorf at the municipal office. However, the original finds are in the Natural History Museum in Vienna.
If you want to hike in the footsteps of the dinosaurs, you can use the “prehistoric hiking maps” available in the municipal office to visit the dinosaur site just outside the village at the foot of the Hohe Wand.
Have fun and best regards Silvia
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