Besucherbergwerk Silbergründle
Medieval lead and silver mine in the Achertal valley near Seebach, uncovered by volunteers – visits only on guided underground tours.
About the museum
In the Seebacher Silbergründle on the edge of the Achertal valley, people were probably already digging for ore in the 12th or 13th century. Mainly galena and silver-bearing fahlore were extracted from two quartz veins. The heyday was in the Middle Ages; finds have been dated to the 14th century, and the most recent mine timber dates from around 1770, when mining ended.
Afterwards the mine fell into oblivion. Only field names and oral tradition recalled the tunnels. Following tips from older residents, local historians rediscovered a first, completely buried tunnel in 1978 and made it accessible again through many thousands of hours of volunteer work. From 1984 visitors could tour the Erzknappenlochstollen tunnel; by 2005 further sections had been added, including the Upper and Lower Tunnels (Obere and Untere Stollen) with several shafts.
Today the mine is looked after on a voluntary basis by the mining section (Fachgruppe Bergwesen) of the Historischer Verein für Mittelbaden (historical society). Tours take place in the Upper Tunnels system, the oldest known part of Seebach's mining, with two shaft structures and a water-filled winze fed by a spring. Before going underground, visitors hear a talk in the visitor hut on the history and the excavation. A mining trail around the Silberberg complements the experience above ground.
Highlights
- Medieval tunnels and shafts
- Tour with helmet, miner's lamp, rubber boots and cape
- Water-filled winze with a spring in the Upper Tunnels
- Mine festival on the second Sunday in August
- Silbergründle mining trail (7.1 km)
Permanent exhibitions
- Führung durch die Oberen Stollen – After an introduction in the visitor hut, you head with a miner's lamp through the oldest part of the mine, with shafts and a flooded winze.
- Founded
- 1984
- Operated by
- Fachgruppe Bergwesen im Historischen Verein für Mittelbaden e. V.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €3.50free up to age 2 · Children aged 3 to 11 €3.50, from age 12 adult price; under 3 free when accompanied by an adult. |
| Groups | –Private tours also for small groups; minimum price €40 per tour. |
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 2 |
|---|
Children of all ages are welcome on the tours, with no age limit. Free for children under 3 accompanied by adults; equipment (helmet, lamp, boots, poncho) is provided.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available · 90 m to the entrance
Parking on Grimmerswaldstraße, about 90 m beyond the visitor hut (same side of the street).
From Achern up the valley, in Seebach take the first street on the left (Grimmerswaldstraße); the visitor hut, the meeting point for all tours, is on the right after about 800 m. GPS coordinates: N 48.580217, E 8.168000.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Helmet, lamp, rubber boots and rain poncho are provided free of charge; rubber boots or high hiking boots recommended. The mining trail (7.1 km) starts at the Mummelseehalle. |
