Eisensteinstollen

Useful Information

Location:	Bad Grund.
Open:	MAR to OCT daily. [2007]
Fee:	Per Person per day: up to 3 days EUR 14.50, up to 10 days EUR 12.50, more than 10 days EUR 9.50. [2007]
Classification:	Iron Mine Karst Cave Speleotherapy
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:	L=6,000 m, T=7-9 °C.
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Tourist-Zentrum e.V., Bad Grund, Tel: +49-5327-700710. 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

1869	mining of iron ores.
1989	use for spelaeotherapy.

Geology

The Eisensteinstollen is located in the limestone of the Iberg. This limestone is a former coral reef, which grew here during the Devonian. Intrusions of iron carbonates were weathered by the groundwater and converted into limonite, an iron ore. The chemical reaction produced carbon dioxide, which intensified karstification. The tunnel is the entrance to a huge cave system of up about 6 km length, which is accessible only to cavers.

Description

The Eisensteinstollen (Iron ore tunnel) is a former iron mine, located above the village Bad Grund at the slope of the Iberg. The iron ore is connected with the iron ore mined in the Showcave Iberger Tropfsteinhöhle higher uphill. The mine is used exclusively for speleotherapy, there are no guided tours.

After entering the tunnel ther is a lock, intended to reduce the air exchange with the outside. After 80 m the therapy zone is reached. About 50 m long and three to four meters wide it offers room for about 50 patients.