Besucherbergwerk Finstergrund

About the museum

The Finstergrund mine near Wieden is one of the important fluorspar and barite mines of the Black Forest. The Gewerkschaft Finstergrund mining company operated it from 1922 to 1974 and in 1967 it became Germany's largest fluorspar producer. Mining did not end because the deposit was exhausted, but because of low fluorspar prices.

On March 1, 1975, the Bergmannsverein Finstergrund Wieden e. V. (mining club) was founded. The show mine opened on August 21, 1982. In the following decades the club members built the track system and a locomotive shed, and in 2002 a new visitor building. They fitted the adit out with old machines and have run all tours by mine railway since 2007. In 2022, a teaching and research mine in cooperation with the University of Freiburg also began.

The tour, on the level of adit 5, shows vein mining in the Werner IV vein, where the steeply dipping mineral vein was mined using the so-called Firstenstoßbau method. Since May 2023, the Information Center for Mining and Geology on the upper floor of the visitor building complements the tour. Covering more than 100 square meters, it explains geology, mining technology and the use of raw materials, with original pieces from the operating period, minerals, postcards, documents and multimedia stations with eyewitness interviews.

Highlights

• Mine railway ride into the visitor adit
• Information Center for Mining and Geology with original pieces and eyewitness interviews
• Vein mining for fluorspar and barite, with geo-points along the route
• Historic mine locomotives and mining machinery
• Run entirely by volunteers

Permanent exhibitions

• Besucherbergwerk Finstergrund – The guided tour by mine railway shows vein mining for fluorspar and barite, with old machinery and geo-points along the route.
• Infozentrum Bergbau und Geologie – Across two floors, the Information Center explains geology, mining technology and the region's use of raw materials, with original artifacts, minerals and multimedia stations.

Founded

1982

Operated by

Bergmannsverein Finstergrund Wieden e. V.

Admission & discounts

Prices include the mine railway ride and admission to the Information Center. Cash only on site, no card payment.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Visits are only possible as part of a guided tour. The floor of the adit is uneven and in places slippery, and there is a tripping hazard at the tracks. Dogs are allowed if they are on a leash or carried.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

There is a family ticket and a children's play corner in the Information Center. Children's events are offered as special tours in cooperation with the external provider Black Forest History & Excursion.

Getting there & parking

The mine lies directly on the L 123 between Wieden and Utzenfeld and is signposted from both directions. In snow the access road can be impassable; in that case, about 600 meters with a 90-meter difference in elevation must be covered on foot.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Wi-Fi

The Bergwerkstüble Finstergrund (leased to an outside operator) is open at the same times as the mine, with a hot kitchen from 11:00 to 15:30. Free Wi-Fi is available for visitors.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit