Besucherstollen Morgenstern


Useful Information

Location: Luchsbachtal 13, 08340 Schwarzenberg, OT Pöhla.
A72 exit 10 Zwickau West, B93 to Schneeberg 16 km, B161, B101 towards Annaberg-Buchholz 17 km, in Raschau turn right towards Pöhla. From Pöhla S271 towards Globenstein, in the suburb Siegelhof turn left into the Luchsbachtal. Signposted.
(50.4972293, 12.8177599)
Open: MAY to OCT Mon-Fri 9-15, Sat 10-16, Sun 13-17.
[2018]
Fee: Adults EUR 4,75, Children EUR 1,50.
[2018]
Classification: MineTin Mine MineIron Mine MineSilver Mine MineTungsten Mine
Light: LightIncandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:
Guided tours: D=20 min, L=180 m.
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: no
Bibliography:
Address: Förderverein Freizeitzentrum mit Besucherbergwerk Luchsbachtal Pöhla e.V., Karlsbader Straße 30, 08352 Pöhla, Tel: +49-3774-86080.
Fundgrube und Erbstollen "Morgenstern" Pöhla, Luchsbachtal 13, 08352 Pöhla, Tel: 03774-29994, Tel: 03774-81078. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

15. Jahrhundert adit started.
1779 first written mention.

Geology

The Schwarzenberg mining district is crisscrossed by polymetallic gangues with a complex formation history. The skarn deposits contain magnetite, sulphur pyrite (pyrite and marcasite), arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite and galena. The ore deposits, which are up to 6 metres thick, are locally interspersed with silver and cobalt minerals and cassiterite. There is also quartz, barite, chert, biotite, muscovite, eye-shaped protruding feldspar and occasional rock crystal.

Description

The Besucherstollen Morgenstern Pöhla (Morgenstern Pöhla Show Mine) is an ore gallery that was probably excavated in the 15th century, although it was first mentioned in a document in 1779. There was mining for iron, tin, cobalt and silver in the Luchsbach valley. The adit is also known as the Morgenstern Erbstolln or Oberer Morgensterner Erbstolln. There are three other tunnels in the ore field. The adit is 97 1/2 lachter long, i.e. 194.5 m. However, only the first 90 m have been developed into a show mine. In the style of the Middle Ages, there is no electric light and the mine is accessed by candlelight. The association not only provides the candles, but also helmets and capes. A special highlight is a tungsten ore deposit that fluoresces brightly under UV light.

The gallery was abandoned in the Middle Ages, which is the reason why medieval mining remains are still so well-preserved here. The small show mine benefits from the streams of visitors who flock to the neighbouring Zinnkammern visitor mine. However, as this dates back to the middle of the 20th century, it complements it very well by showing medieval mining.

After the Second World War, the Morgenstern Erbstolln was investigated by SDAG Wismut, but they were unable to detect any signs of uranium and closed the tunnel by blowing up the entrance. The Förderverein Luchsbachtal Pöhla e.V. (association for the promotion of the Luchsbachtal Pöhla valley) reopened it with voluntary labour and ABM workers. A small leisure centre with gold washing, camping facilities with a barbecue area and a Kneipp facility fed by the water from the adit was created on the site around the entrance. The gallery is part of the Pöhla-Rittersgrün mining nature trail, which begins at the Zinnkammern show mine. We read a comment on the internet that the show mine has been closed since 2017. However, the association still seems to exist. We have no current information. if you recently visited the show mine, we would be grateful for an update by email.