Eisenerzgrube Nothweiler

Erzgrube St. Anna-Stollen

Useful Information

Location:	Nothweiler.
Open:	APR to OCT Tue-Sun, Hol 10-18, tours on the full hour, last tour 17. [2011]
Fee:	Adults EUR 4, Children (6-13) EUR 2.50, Children (0-5) free, School Pupils EUR 2.50, Students EUR 2.50, Seniors EUR 2.50, Disabled EUR 2.50, Family (2+*) EUR 10. Groups (12+): Adults EUR 3.50. [2011]
Classification:	Iron Mine
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:	l=10,000 m, T=9 °C, H=80%.
Guided tours:	L=420 m, D=30 min.
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Besucherbergwerk Eisenerzgrube Nothweiler, Wiesenstraße 2, 76891 Nothweiler, Tel: +49-6394-5354. E-mail: Betriebsführer Heinz Biehler, Tel: +49-6394-5354. Ortsbürgermeister Kurt Görtler, Lembacherstraße 11, 76891 Nothweiler, Tel: +49-6394-1223.
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

Geology

The iron ores ar found in the typical red sandstones of the Buntsandstein (Lower Triassic, 250Ma) of the Pfälzerwald. Much later, during the Tertiary (45Ma) the intrusion of the iron ores happened.

Description

The iron at Nothweiler was mined for 300 years. But the heyday of mining began after the mine was bought by Freiherr Ludwig von Gienanth in 1838. Be purchased the St. Anna Grube to supply his furnace at Schönau with iron ore.

The show mine is almost horizontal, which means the tour is suitable for disabled visitors. The narrow tunnels widen several times to big halls, the socalled Abbauort (mining location). The mine was ventilated by a air shaft which goes up 80 m to the surfaces and causes a natural air convection. Subterranean cisterns provided the necessary water.

The miners cottage in front of the St. Anna-Stollen is used for special exhibitions. There is an exhibition of dinosaur eggs, meteorites, and deep sea minerals. There is also a shop selling minerals, fossils, raw gem and jewelry. It also sells miner's lamps, miner's sticks, and other mining related gifts from various mining areas. After appointment a so called Bergmannsmahl (miner's meal) is served, which includes various hams and sausages, cheese, cucumber, bread, and butter.