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Town in Birkenfeld, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Photo: Wisohr, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Idar-Oberstein is a city in the Rhineland-Palatinate region of Germany and is at a narrows, between rocky cliffs and the banks of the Nahe. Since every square meter of land is at a premium here, the river has been covered over in the town. As a result, since 1986, the Nahe flows underneath the town for several kilometers.
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Gemstone museum
German mineral museum
Gemstones and minerals from all over the world, and beautiful crystals brought to Europe from overseas. Jewellery from the 19th and 20th centuries (such as Art Deco).
Edelsteinminen Steinkaulenberg
Jewellery and precious stones used to be mined in these caves and tunnels. Visitors can take a tour of the mines and learn more about gem mining and the history of the region. There is also a gemstone cutting factory and a visitor centre where visitors can purchase gemstones and learn more about their properties.
By train
There are a number of regional lines providing connect to the town from Saarbrücken, Neunkirchen (Saarland), Bad Kreuznach, Mainz and St Wendel.
By car
The B41 connects to the A61 at Bad Kreuznach and the A62 and on to St. Wendel and Neunkirchen.
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Frankfurt am Main (Lautzenhausen) · International · HHN
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