Mijndepot Waterschei
Museum on the former Waterschei mine site in Genk with guided tours by former miners, real tools and reconstructed mine galleries.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Mijndepot Waterschei is located on the former Waterschei mine site in Genk, which now forms part of Thor Park. The coal mine closed in 1987. The depot is housed in the mine's former warehouse, part of the main building.
The museum displays a collection of machines and tools used in the mine, along with objects from underground. A film and dozens of photos sketch the work of the miners and the history of the mine, from its origins to its closure.
Today the museum is run by the vzw Mijn-Verleden, with volunteers and in cooperation with the City of Genk and Thor Park. A visit is led by a guide: former miners and their descendants tell their stories using authentic objects and lifelike mine galleries, where visitors can touch the tools of generations of miners. The vzw also makes the podcast De Schacht van ons Verleden, with memories of Limburg's mining past.
Highlights
- Guided tours by former miners and their descendants
- Authentic tools that visitors can touch
- Lifelike mine galleries for an underground experience
- Film and photos about the history of the mine up to its closure in 1987
- Meeting area with coffee and a local Kompelbier
Permanent exhibition
- Het mijnverleden van Limburg – Guided tours by former miners past authentic tools, a film, photos and reconstructed mine galleries about life below and above ground.
- Operated by
- vzw Mijn-Verleden
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €8 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5Children aged 6 to 12 (€5) |
| Children & teens | €5free up to age 5 · Children under 6 free; children aged 6 to 12: €5. |
| Groups (15+ people) | –Groups of 15 or more can also book outside opening hours. For groups of fewer than 15 visitors, the group pays the rate for 15 people, with a minimum of €120. |
| Above-ground tour | €8 |
Tour prices: adults €8; children aged 6 to 12: €5; children under 6 free; above-ground tour: €8.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The tours are accessible to visitors using a wheelchair, rollator or pushchair. The museum asks that this be mentioned when booking, so that the guides can prepare the visit.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|
- Stroller-friendly
Children under 6 enter free; children aged 6 to 12 pay €5. The tours are accessible with a pushchair.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Café
In the meeting area you can get coffee, a soft drink or a local Kompelbier after your visit.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | A visit is led by a guide; reservations can be made online. The tour can be booked in Dutch, French, English or German; for a non-Dutch-speaking guide, the planner confirms the request manually. For schools there are tailor-made tours, an educational pack for teachers and a Mijnmuseum diploma for each pupil, suitable for primary and secondary education. |
