Grube Malapertus

Useful Information

Location:	Zur Grube 100, 35576 Wetzlar. (50.579629, 8.500513)
Open:	Only after appointment. [2026]
Fee:
Classification:	Limestone Mine Manganese Mine
Light:	Electric Light
Dimension:
Guided tours:
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	yes (surface)
Bibliography:	Franz Gareis (o. J.): Geschichtliche Entwicklung der Grube Malapertus Biebertal
Address:	Grube Malapertus, Zur Grube 100, 35576 Wetzlar, Tel: +49-. 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

10-FEB-1852	Malapertus mining field granted to the mining entrepreneur Philipp Heyl of Weyer for the extraction of manganese ore.
1860	begin of manganese mining.
1872	mine acquired by the Buderus Ironworks.
1912	Hermannstein limestone quarry opened.
1913	end manganese mining.
1923	Kalkbruch Hermannstein shut down due to a lack of sales.
1927	manganese mining restarted.
1931	manganese ore mining at the Malapertus mine ends.
1943	concrete staircase with 310 steps installed down to the ‘civil engineering floor’ for use as an air-raid shelter.
1957	end of underground limestone mining.
1981	blast furnace shut down.
2003	Heidelberg Cement AG acquires the Buderus cement works.
2010	cement works shut down.
2011	Förderverein Grube Malapertus e.V. founded.

Geology

The rock here consists of Devonian limestones, which were deposited in a warm, oxygen-rich sea or formed as a coral reef. As aqueous solutions rose from the underlying keratopyrite, iron oxide was deposited alongside the limestone; this was subsequently enriched by weathering once the rocks were uplifted. The limestone underwent karstification during the Tertiary period, and hollow features such as sinkholes filled with the iron oxide, forming brown iron ore containing varying amounts of manganese.

Description

Grube Malapertus (Malapertus Mine) is a manganese ore and limestone mine which was in operation from 1852 to 2011. The origin of the name is unclear, it is probably a bogus Latinised version of the local place name Fuchslöcher (fox holes). But actually it translates literally as ‘poorly drilled’. It is also referred to as the Malapertus mining area, as it encompasses a larger site comprising mine buildings, two quarries and a so-called Festhalle (function hall). The function hall is available to hire by the day for events for up to 80 people and includes a covered barbecue area. It has all the necessary facilities for events.

Following the ‘granting’ of mining rights in 1852, small quantities of manganese ore were extracted here from 1860 to 1913. A second phase of mining took place from 1927 to 1931. The operator, the Buderus company, apparently used it as an aggregate for the Sophienhütte blast furnace. Limestone was also quarried as an aggregate for smelting, initially via underground mining until 1957, and subsequently in the quarries. The headframe and the machine hall, complete with the machinery, have been preserved and are now an industrial monument. The company also owned a cement works, and following the closure of the blast furnace in 1981, the limestone was used primarily for cement production. It was transported from the two quarries, Niedergirmes and Hermannstein, to the cement works via an underground conveyor belt. In 2003, Heidelberg Cement AG acquired the cement works, but in 2011 they ceased production at the Wetzlar site.

Following its closure, the mine was taken over by the Förderverein Grube Malapertus e.V. (Association Friends of Malapertus Mine). They are preserving this industrial monument, but currently [2026] only offer the so-called ‘Festhalle’ for events. Guided tours are available by appointment only and cover only the surface areas – that is, the winding tower and the machinery hall. The website is currently being updated and contains only contact details, but we have gathered the impression that an underground tour is also to be offered in the medium term. In any case, the mine is well worth a visit as an industrial monument, which is why we have included it on showcaves.com. The Hermannstein limestone quarry is being filled in with construction waste. At the same time, it is being reclaimed in collaboration with NABU Hessen.