Visitor mine Bindweide pit

The Grube Bindweide Mining Museum and the mine team warmly welcome you to a special journey into the world of historic iron ore mining. Here, you can experience mining history not only in the museum, but right where iron ore was once mined – an exciting, impressive and adventurous experience for young and old alike.

A journey through time underground

Your visit begins at the visitor centre, which introduces you to the geology of the Westerwald and the formation of the ores. You’ll learn how the iron ore was extracted, processed and refined, and the conditions under which the miners worked.

Next, you’ll head underground: the mine railway will take you around 800 metres through the mountain. You’ll explore a further 300 metres on foot, experiencing the historic ore galleries along the way. Reddish-brown, ore-bearing rock, stalactites and stalagmites, as well as the cool, damp air at around 12 °C, give you an authentic impression of the world underground. The sounds of old tools accompany the approximately 90-minute tour.

The history of the Bindweide mine

The mine’s history dates back to 1837. It developed into one of the most important iron ore mines in the Siegerland-Westerwald region. More than five million tonnes of iron ore were extracted here, with up to 900 miners working in the mine.

The dangers of mining are also part of the mine’s history. Fourteen miners lost their lives in a serious mining accident. Due to technical difficulties and falling demand for iron ore, the mine was eventually closed down. Mining operations ceased for good at the end of March 1932.

The Mining Museum was later established above the entrance to the ‘Tiefen Stollen’ (Deep Adit), through which the iron ore was once extracted and transported until 1913. Since 1986, you have been able to experience the history of mining here.

What else you can discover

In addition to the visitor centre and the underground tour, further special attractions await you. In the mine smithy, you can witness demonstrations of traditional craftsmanship. The Barbara Tower, a former hoisting frame and now a viewing tower on the Steineberger Höhe, offers a beautiful view over the Westerwald landscape.

In the former powder magazine area, you’ll also find the healing tunnel, where breathing and relaxation therapies are offered.

Geo-Information Centre and Partnerships

The Bindweide Mine is one of twelve Geo-Information Centres in the Westerwald-Lahn-Taunus GeoPark. Here you can find further information on the geology as well as the economic and cultural history of the region, and discover additional Geo-Routes, Geo-Points, Geo-Sites and Geo-Views. (www.geopark-wlt.de)

The museum’s educational concept brings the topics of mining, geology and regional history to life, making them tangible and engaging. (www.qr-kultur.de)

Funding

The further development of the Mining Museum was supported, amongst other things, by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). Funding was provided for the visitor centre, the mine smithy and the Barbara Tower.

A visit to the Bindweide Mine combines history, technology, geology and genuine adventure – and takes you to the place where mining history was once written underground.

Glück Auf!

Opening times

 The Bindweide pit is open from April to October as follows:

• Monday: Groups by appointment 
• Tuesday: Groups by appointment
• Wednesday: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM 
• Thursday: Groups by appointment
• Friday: open during the holidays of RLP from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, outside the holidays of RLP: Groups by appointment
• Saturday: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM 
• Sunday: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM 

Guided tours outside the specified times are possible by appointment.

A tour of the visitor mine takes about 1.5 hours.

Price:

 Exhibition & guided tour of the visitor mine

• adults:  15,00 €
• Children (up to 14 years): 8,00 €
• students / disabled persons: 10,00 €
• groups (from 10 persons): 13,00 € per person (minimum 130,00 €)
• school classes / children's groups (from 10 persons): 6,00 € per child
• Family ticket (2 adults + 2 children): 30,00 €
• Family ticket (each additional child): 5,00 €