Besucherbergwerk Grube Fortuna
Former iron ore mine near Solms with a descent in the winding cage, a mine railway, a mining museum and historic surface facilities.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Iron ore was already being extracted in the area of the Fortuna mine in the early 17th century, and finds even point to earlier use. From 1849 the mining field belonged to the Prince of Solms-Braunfels; in 1906 it passed to the Krupp company. In the 20th century, operations were increasingly mechanized with new shafts, an adit one and a half kilometers long and aerial cableways to the smelting works. In 1974 the mine reached its highest annual output. On March 4, 1983, it closed after the last shift.
That same year a friends' association (Förderverein) was founded. A sponsoring association made up of the Lahn-Dill district, several municipalities and the friends' association cleared the way for the expansion into a show mine. Work began in 1985, and visitor operations opened on Whit Monday 1987. Since 2011 the nonprofit association Geowelt Fortuna has run the mine; after a 17-month break, it was ceremonially reopened at that time.
Today visitors descend in the winding cage to the 150-meter level and then travel by mine railway into the mining area, where original machines are demonstrated. Above ground, the tipping hall, the Zechenhaus with the mining museum, and the winding engine house from 1958 show the technology of ore processing and hoisting. The mine serves as the geoinformation center and office of the Geopark Westerwald-Lahn-Taunus and, since 2022, as an anchor point of the European Route of Industrial Heritage.
Highlights
- Descent in the winding cage to the 150-meter level
- Ride on the mine railway into the mining area
- Demonstration of original mining machinery underground
- Mining museum with hands-on stations in the Zechenhaus
- Winding engine house from 1958 with cage hoisting in operation
- Adventure playground and mine restaurant on the grounds
- Founded
- 1987
- Operated by
- Geowelt Fortuna e. V.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €15 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €14Adults with a severe disability (50% or more) and a companion, apprentices and students with valid ID, groups of 10 or more adults, cooperation partners |
| Children & teens | €9Children and young people aged 6 to 16; the 1-hour mine tour is only possible from age 6. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €14Adults with a severe disability of 50% or more and their companions pay the reduced price. |
| Students & apprentices | €14Students and apprentices with proof. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €14 per personGroups of 10 or more adults; children and youth groups (ages 6–16) of 10 or more people pay €8. |
| Families | –Family discount for at least 2 adults and up to 3 children (ages 6–16) on the 1-hour mine tour when booking online with a voucher code; also available to members of the FamilienApp Hessen. |
| 2-hour combined tour above ground (Grube Fortuna and Feld- und Grubenbahnmuseum), on request only | €9Reduced €8, including museum admission. |
Prices are for the 1-hour mine tour including museum admission; tickets can be purchased online in the tour planner. Special tours (e.g. the 3-hour expert tour) and educational tours have their own prices. Outside regular opening hours, special tours are possible for a flat fee. Reductions are only granted with proof, and vouchers and discounts cannot be combined. €1 off per person when presenting a Schloss Braunfels ticket (online code).
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Playground / play area
- Kids’ birthday parties
The 1-hour mine tour is for ages 6 and up; for children from age 2 there are experiences on the adit level. In the mining museum, hands-on stations (marked with an orange handprint) invite children to try things out, and the grounds have an adventure playground. Children's birthday parties with a mine experience can be booked on request from age 3. There is a family discount and offers for school classes and kindergartens.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
The show mine lies in the middle of the forest between Solms-Oberbiel and Aßlar-Berghausen. There is a signposted car park with ample parking spaces.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
Mine restaurant "Zum Zechenhaus" with beer garden (open Wednesday to Sunday and on public holidays; table reservations 06443 8194999). Museum shop in the Zechenhaus.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | no |
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography is allowed; on request there is a special photo tour underground. |
| Good to know | The mine tour lasts one hour (maximum 21 people, from age 6); longer special tours take 10 to 15 people. Underground it is about 13 °C; warm clothing and sturdy footwear are recommended. A helmet and lamp are provided. Tours run regardless of the weather and are in German, with English available on request. Reservations are recommended. Animals may not be taken into the mine. The mining museum and the surface facilities are accessible above ground. |
