Besucherbergwerk Grube Bindweide

About the museum

The mining field was first granted in 1837 under the name "Maria an der Bindweide", but in 1841 it reverted to the state for lack of funds. From 1853 the entrepreneur Theodor Stein expanded the mine. Two years later he combined 72 small mines into one large operation, and from 1864 he drove the Tiefer Bindweider Stollen forward. After a serious water inrush in 1872 that killed 14 people, he sold the mine to the Krupp company, which introduced modern technology. Around 1890, Bindweide was one of the largest mines in the Siegerland: more than five million tons of iron ore were extracted, and about 600 people worked there.

In 1931 the mine was shut down because of difficult mining conditions, water inflow and the world economic crisis. In 1981 the Tiefer Bindweider Stollen was reopened after fifty years of disuse; former miners and their descendants restored it through voluntary work. In 1986 the site opened as a show mine.

Today a mine railway leads into the mountain. Stops include the historic mine railway station, the machine room with compressed-air drills, Shaft 1 with its hoisting equipment, and the stopes where the ore was broken from the rock. Above ground, a modernized museum with multimedia and interactive stations shows geology, technology and life underground. In the mine forge built in 2014, visitors can swing the hammer themselves. Since 2014, a lookout tower on a former headframe has offered views over the Westerwald and Siegerland.

Highlights

• Mine railway ride into the Tiefer Bindweider Stollen
• Machine room, Shaft 1 and stopes underground
• Multimedia museum above ground (admission without a tour is free)
• Mine forge with hands-on demonstrations
• Lookout tower on a former headframe

Permanent exhibition

• Museum im Übertagebereich – Modernized museum with multimedia and interactive stations on geology, technology and life underground.

Founded

1986

Admission & discounts

Prices apply to the exhibition and the tour of the show mine; visiting the exhibition without a tour is free. Payment by EC card is possible, and gift vouchers are available. The forge demonstration lasts 60 to 75 minutes and is free during regular opening hours.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• 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 museum is not wheelchair accessible.

Kids & families

Great for kids & familiesRecommended for ages 4+

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Child-friendly tours, children's birthday parties with a mine tour, and a forge where children can take part (from age 6). Children under 4 may not go down into the mine.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The miners' room (Knappenraum) can be rented by groups: €20 for up to 90 minutes, €50 for up to 3 hours.

Plan your visit