Eisenerzgrube Nothweiler

Erzgrube St. Anna-Stollen

Useful Information

Location:	Am Kolbenberg, 76891 Nothweiler. (49.0668977, 7.8094567)
Open:	closed. [2026]
Fee:	closed. [2026]
Classification:	Iron Mine
Light:	Electric Light
Dimension:	l=10,000 m, T=9 °C, H=80%.
Guided tours:	L=420 m, D=45 min. V=70,000/a [2018]
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:	Lilo Hagen (2018): Alles - außer Kohle..., Nunnenmann GmbH, Herxheim, Juli 2018, 200 Seiten.
Address:	Besucherbergwerk Eisenerzgrube Nothweiler, Am Kolbenberg, 76891 Nothweiler, Tel: +49-6394-5354. Gemeinde Nothweiler, Lembacherstraße 12, 76891 Nothweiler, Tel: +49-6394-1818. E-mail: 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

1582	start of mining by Duke Johann I of Zweibrücken.
1838	mine purchased by the Gienanth family.
1883	mining ceased for economic reasons.
1976	development as a show mine.
1977	show mine opened to the public.
APR-2025	show mine closed indefinitely.

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. The permanent exhibition is entitled Mining and Metallurgy in the Wasgau and displays the tools used (mining equipment) and iron cast products. 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.