Stahlbergmuseum Müsen

About the museum

Mining at the Stahlberg in Müsen has been documented in writing since a toll agreement of 1313, but its origins are likely considerably older. In 1611 several small mines merged into the Gewerkschaft Stahlberg mining company, and around 1860 the district reached its peak. The mine produced high-grade iron ore and remained in operation until 1931. The Stahlberger Erbstollen (drainage adit) was built between 1740 and 1780, initially to drain water, and from 1832 also served to transport ore.

As early as 1924 the last mine director, Hermann Fuhr, set up a mining museum in the former prayer house. The building, erected in 1729/30 and moved to the adit spoil heap in 1845, served miners as a meeting place before and after their shifts. Today it displays mine plans, Siegerland minerals, and tools and equipment from mining, surveying and metallurgy across two floors; in the basement are finds from the excavation of the medieval mining settlement of Altenberg.

The museum is run by the Verein Altenberg & Stahlberg e. V., founded in 1973 as Altenberg e. V. and working with the Stahlberger Erbstollen working group since 1984. Between 1974 and 1979 the association's members made the adit passable for 380 meters. A working replica of an oak water-lifting machine (Wasserkunst) forms the finale of the tours.

Highlights

• Show mine Stahlberger Erbstollen with 380 meters of passable adit
• Working replica of an oak water-lifting machine (Wasserkunst)
• Museum in the prayer house of 1729/30 with mine plans and Siegerland minerals
• Finds from the medieval mining settlement of Altenberg
• Tours led by volunteer association members

Permanent exhibitions

• Stahlbergmuseum im ehemaligen Bethaus – Mine plans, Siegerland minerals, and mining, surveying and metallurgy tools and equipment across two floors.
• Besucherbergwerk Stahlberger Erbstollen – Guided walk through 380 meters of adit, with scenes of mining in the Gestellsteinbruch quarry and a working water-lifting machine at the end.
• Funde der Bergbausiedlung Altenberg – Diorama with pottery, leather remnants and other finds from the medieval mining settlement, in the basement.

Founded

1924

Operated by

Altenberg & Stahlberg e. V.

Admission & discounts

Prices per person including a tour of the museum and show mine; subject to change.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Tours are meant for children, teenagers and adults; school classes are looked after separately. Once a year the special event "Tatort Technik" offers, among other things, a treasure hunt for children and teenagers.

Getting there & parking

Navigation address: Auf der Stollenhalde 4, 57271 Hilchenbach (Müsen district). The Altenberg mining settlement excavation site is about 2 kilometers away toward Littfeld.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

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Plan your visit