Grube Samson

Samson Pit

Useful Information

Location:	Am Samson 2, 37444 Sankt Andreasberg. A7 exit Seesen, B243 to Herzberg am Harz, turn left to St. Andreasberg. (51.713000, 10.516100)
Open:	JAN to MAR Tue-Sun 11, 14:30. APR to OCT daily 11, 14:30. 05-DEC to 31-DEC Tue-Sat 11, 14:30. Closed 24-DEC, 25-DEC, 01-JAN. [2025]
Fee:	Adults EUR 10, School Pupils EUR 7, Children (5-15) EUR 5.50, Students EUR 7, Disabled EUR 7. Guest card: Adults EUR 9, School Pupils EUR 7, Children (5-15) EUR 5, Students EUR 7, Disabled EUR 7. [2025]
Classification:	Silver Mine
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:	VR=780 m. At the moment accessible: VR=190 m, T=8 °C.
Guided tours:	D=60 min, St=88.
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	partly
Bibliography:
Address:	Grube Samson, Am Samson 2, 37444 Sankt Andreasberg im Harz, Tel: +49-5582-1249. 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

1521	beginning of mining.
1910	end of mining.
1987	declared an International Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark by American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Geology

In the Samson mine the typical dyke ores of the upper Harz were mined. Those hydrothermal dykes were formed by the circulating groundwater heated by the magmatic intrusion of the Brocken granite. Inside the clefts polymetallic ores were deposited and numerous minerals grew. The most important metal was silver, not because its absolute amount, but because of its value. All together 50 different minerals are known from the mine. The most important is probably samsonite, which has its type locale here. It was first described here and named after the mine.

Description

The most impressive sights at Grube Samson are the buildings with their weird names: even Germans do not know the terms Gaipel, Seildrift, Kunstradstube, and Kehrradstube, as they are special miner terms. There are huge baskets which carried one ton of ore and a special basket for sick miners, which was used only after accidents. The Kehrrad is a huge wheel with a diameter of 9 m for the elevator to lift the ore from the mine. The Kunstrad has a diameter of 12 m and was used to motor the only Fahrkunst in Europe.

Those terms are difficult and need some explanation. A Fahrkunst or Kunst, literally art or artificial, is a certain elevator which was developed here. Fahren (to drive) is the miner term for moving in the mine, even if they do walk. The mine was very deep, and the miners needed too much time and energy to reach the ore. So they invented a wooden system of two vertical chains of wooden logs which were fixed on top at a huge wooden wheel. When the wheel turned forth and back, the logs went up and down. On the logs steps were mounted, and the miners were standing on the steps until the direction turned and then changed to the other side. So they were able to either catch all the up movements or all the down movements. This was pretty fast compared to climbing ladders, but also a little dangerous. The elevator was powered by a wooden water wheel which was called Kunstrad.

The Samson mine thus vividly presents the historical Upper Harz ore mining and its energy supply with hydropower. It is therefore more of an open-air museum than a show mine. Nevertheless, there is also an underground part: an 88 m long tunnel is part of the tour. The guided tour is in German, but guided tours in English are available on request. Audio guides are also available in English, Dutch and Danish. Those who are more interested in the actual mine should visit the neighbouring Catharina Neufang mine.