House Rules for Fossil World Weinviertel

Welcome to Fossil World Weinviertel!

To ensure that all visitors can enjoy a safe, pleasant and enriching visit, we ask you to observe the following house rules.

1. General Provisions

1.1 Management’s Rights
Visitors must follow the instructions of staff at all times. In the event of breaches of these house rules, entry may be refused or a ban from the premises may be imposed.

1.2 Respectful behaviour
We place great importance on treating one another in a friendly and respectful manner. Discriminatory, offensive or harassing behaviour will not be tolerated.

1.3 Safety
Please observe all safety and information signs on the premises. Escape and rescue routes must be kept clear at all times. Parents and accompanying adults are responsible for supervising the children in their care.

1.4 Smoking ban
Smoking is strictly prohibited in all indoor areas of Fossil World. Smoking is permitted only in the designated outdoor areas, provided there are no official orders or generally applicable smoking bans in force – for example, due to an increased fire risk during dry periods.

1.5 Alcohol consumption
The consumption of alcoholic drinks brought onto the premises is not permitted anywhere on the site. Alcoholic drinks are served exclusively by the Fossil World catering facilities.

1.6 Ban on weapons
Carrying weapons or weapon-like objects is prohibited throughout the entire site.

1.7 Cleanliness and order
Please help to keep Fossil World clean and contribute to environmental protection. Rubbish must be disposed of in the bins provided. As we operate a waste separation scheme, we ask you to sort recyclable materials such as paper, plastic and general waste into the appropriately labelled collection bins. Thank you for your support in the sustainable and responsible use of our resources.

1.8 Disclaimer
Fossil World Weinviertel accepts no liability for lost, damaged or missing items.

2. Additional provisions for the museum, research park and fossil Sandpit

2.1 Handling of exhibits
The exhibits in the museum are valuable records of the Earth’s history. Please only touch exhibits where this is expressly permitted.

2.2 Fossil Sandpit
Access to the Fossil Sandpit is permitted only in the designated areas. Visitors must follow the instructions of the supervisory staff. Fossils found may be taken away in accordance with the applicable regulations. Access to the Fossil Sandpit is permitted only in the designated areas. You must follow the instructions of the supervisory staff at all times. Any fossils found may be taken away in accordance with the applicable regulations. The skeletal slabs and other permanently installed exhibition elements in the Fossil Sandpit are for illustrative purposes only and may only be uncovered and viewed. It is expressly forbidden to tear out, damage or remove these objects. In the event of wilful damage, Fossil World Weinviertel reserves the right to claim compensation.

2.3 Use of the play and activity areas
The play equipment and activity stations must be used in accordance with their intended purpose. Parents and accompanying adults are responsible for supervising their children. The play equipment is TÜV-certified and is inspected regularly; should you nevertheless notice any damage, please report this immediately at the ticket office. Outside the play areas, entry to the grounds/forest is at your own risk. Climbing trees and scaling barriers/fences is prohibited. Parents are liable for their children!

2.4 Duty of supervision and liability for groups
Teachers, accompanying adults and other supervisors are responsible for supervising the children and young people in their care throughout their entire stay at Fossil World Weinviertel. They are responsible for ensuring that the house rules are observed and that the facilities and exhibits are treated with care. The relevant supervisor, or – within the framework of statutory provisions – the responsible organiser or legal guardian, is liable for any damage caused wilfully or through negligence by children or young people. Even during supervised children’s birthday parties, the duty of supervision remains with at least one accompanying adult throughout the entire duration of the event. This person must be present and contactable at all times. Supervision by Fossil World staff does not replace the legal duty of supervision incumbent on legal guardians or their appointed supervisors.

2.5 Careful use of facilities
Please treat all facilities, play equipment, exhibition items and green spaces with care. Compensation may be claimed for any damage caused wilfully.

2.6 Animals
Dogs are permitted in the outdoor area on a lead and must wear a muzzle. Dogs must be kept close to their owners at all times so that other visitors are not inconvenienced or put at risk. For hygiene and safety reasons, dogs are not permitted in the water area, the sand Sandpits or the fossil excavation areas. Dog owners must remove their pets’ waste immediately.

2.7 Photography, filming and audio recordings
Private photography and filming for personal use are permitted. Commercial recordings and publications require prior authorisation from the management of Fossil World Weinviertel. Please note that photographs and videos may be taken on the Fossil World site for public relations and advertising purposes. By entering Fossil World, visitors agree that photographs or videos in which they may be recognisable may be used for print media, the website, social media channels and other communication and marketing purposes of Fossil World. If you do not wish this, please contact the staff on site.

2.8 Food and drink
The consumption of food and drink is permitted exclusively in the designated areas. Eating and drinking are not permitted inside the museum. Bringing your own food and drink is only permitted in exceptional cases, e.g. if these items are not available from Fossil World’s catering facilities. We ask for your understanding that, to support our catering services, you should refrain from consuming food and drink brought from home, provided that suitable options are available on site.

2.9 Weather-related restrictions
In the event of extreme weather conditions, individual areas may be temporarily closed for safety reasons. You must follow the instructions of the staff.

2.10 Nature Reserve, Environmental Protection and Personal Responsibility
The Fossil World Weinviertel is situated in a nature-oriented visitor area. The primeval forest is deliberately left largely in its natural state in order to protect the natural flora and fauna and to preserve it as a valuable habitat for native animal and plant species. For this reason, the presence of wild animals and small wildlife such as badgers, foxes, roe deer, insects (particularly wasps and bees) and other species found in the wild cannot be ruled out. Visitors are asked not to disturb the wildlife and to show consideration for the natural environment. We ask all visitors to behave in an environmentally responsible manner and to play an active part in protecting this special natural area. Please stay on the designated paths, dispose of rubbish properly in the bins provided, and respect plants, animals and their habitats. Picking plants, feeding wild animals and wilful damage to the natural environment are prohibited. Due to the open design of certain areas and the natural surroundings, natural environmental factors – such as the formation of mould in indoor areas – may occasionally occur desSandpite regular cleaning and maintenance. Fossil World endeavours to monitor and remedy such issues on an ongoing basis, but accepts no liability for any resulting inconvenience. By entering the premises, visitors acknowledge the specific characteristics of a nature-oriented experience area and act on their own responsibility.

2.11 Acceptance of the House Rules
By entering Fossil World Weinviertel and purchasing an admission ticket, visitors acknowledge the applicable House Rules in their current version and undertake to comply with them. The house rules are designed to ensure safety, protect nature and promote a pleasant atmosphere for all guests. In the event of breaches of the house rules, Fossil World Weinviertel reserves the right to remove individuals from the premises and, where necessary, to issue a ban from the premises.