Schaubergwerk "Herkules-Frisch-Glück" Waschleithe

Useful Information

Location:	Oswaldbachtal near Waschleithe.
Open:	All year Tue-Sun 13, 14, 15. [2014]
Fee:	Adults EUR 6, Children () EUR 2.50, Erzgebirgscard free. [2014]
Classification:	Polymetallic: iron, copper, arsen, zinc, lead and silver. Marble.
Light:	electric
Dimension:
Guided tours:	D=60min., St=250, VR=80m.
Photography:
Accessibility:	No, 250 steps
Bibliography:
Address:	Schaubergwerk "Herkules-Frisch-Glück", Am Fürstenberg 6, 08344 Beierfeld /OT Waschleithe, Tel: +49-3774-24252, Fax: +49-3774-24252.
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

1705	Pit "Frisch Glück" first mentioned in a mining report of the mining authority Annaberg.
1793	Pit "Herkules" first mentioned.
1830	start of marble mining.
1855	mines joined and became "Herkules-Frisch-Glück".
1906	begin of marble mining.
1916	mining ended.
1921	mine deleted in the mining authority files.
1926	show mine opened to the public.
1939	show mine closed because of World War II.
1947-1951	SAG Wismut searching for uranium ores.
1964	show mine reconstructed by mining aprentices from the miners school SDAG Wismut Schlema.
1966	reopened as a show mine.

Geology

A typical polymetallic deposit, a specialty is the occurance of marble.

Description

The Herkules-Frisch-Glück mine is the oldest show mine of Saxonia. It was opened as a show mine by the Verkehrsverein Erzgebirge (Tourism Club Erzgebirge). But with the begin of the World War II in 1939 the show mine was closed. Between 1947 and 1951 SAG Wismut was searching for uranium ores in this mine, obviously with no result. So the show mine was reconstructed from 1964 by mining aprentices from the miners school SDAG Wismut Schlema. In 1966 the show mine was reopened.

This site is exceptional for the geologic situation, polymetalic ores in combination with marble. The highlights of the tour are the kleine Marmorsaal (Small Marble Hall) and the grosse Marmorsaal (Big Marble Hall) and a subterranean lake.

There are numerous events inside the mine, like concerts and an event locally called Mettenschicht. This was the last shift before christmas, where work ended a bit earlier and then the men made a little christmas ceremony and got a meal, typically sausages, mashed potatoes and sauerkraut. And of course there was schnaps an a cigar. Today this tradition is revived in the weeks before Christmas for the tourists. The mine is also used for underground marriages.