Besucherbergwerk Markus Semmler
Show mine in Bad Schlema: a cage descent to 50 m depth through old silver mining and Wismut uranium mining.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Markus Semmler Stolln was started around 1500 at the Mulde River to drain the mine water from the ore veins of the Schlema valley. As a drainage adit more than 40 kilometers long, it runs under the valley to Schneeberg and Neustädtel. In the 20th century, the Wismut company used these old silver adits to mine uranium ore.
The show mine is located at Shaft 15 IIb on the edge of Bad Schlema. From here, a cage ride descends to the Markus Semmler level at 50 meters depth. There, the old and more recent mining of the Schlema valley is shown at original sites, from its beginnings through the Wismut period.
Visitors put on protective clothing, receive a briefing and learn underground, among other things, how uranium ore is measured with a counter tube (Zählrohr), how drilling work is done with drill rigs and hand drills, and about a stoping block typical of Wismut. The program also includes Bergvespern (miners' vespers) and Mettenschichten.
Highlights
- Cage ride down to the Markus Semmler level at 50 m depth
- Silver mining and Wismut uranium mining at original sites
- Measuring uranium ore with a counter tube
- Drilling work with drill rigs and hand drills
- Bergvespern and Mettenschichten underground
Permanent exhibition
- Grubenfahrt im Markus-Semmler-Stolln – Two-hour guided cage descent to the Markus Semmler level through old silver mining and Wismut uranium mining.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €20 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €15Children aged 10 to 14; descent from age 10. |
| Groups (21+ people) | –10% discount from 21 people. |
| Bergvesper / Mettenschicht | €35No discounts possible. |
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Only partly suitable for kidsRecommended for ages 10+
Children may go down from age 10.
Getting there & parking
By car
Paid parking
Large paid car park at the show mine.
By car via the A 72, exit Hartenstein/Lichtenstein, then on the S 255 towards Aue and on to Bad Schlema via the B 169. There, turn towards Friedensstraße to Shaft 15 IIb.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 2 hrs |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Descent only with a guide and advance registration. Before the cage ride there is protective clothing, a briefing and a safety instruction. Children from age 10. |
