Graphit-Besucherbergwerk Kropfmühl

About the museum

In the Lower Bavarian Forest, farmers came across graphite in their fields as early as the 18th century. From 1870 the raw material was extracted industrially in Kropfmühl near Passau, and since 2012 mining has been active there again – making Kropfmühl the only graphite mine in Germany.

The show mine was set up in 1983. In 2010 a friends' association was founded, which supports operations with fundraising events and donations; in January 2012 the nonprofit operating company followed. With funds from the LEADER program, the old winding tower and the tunnel building were converted in 2014/2015. In March 2016, with the support of the European Union and the Landesstelle für die nichtstaatlichen Museen in Bayern (Bavarian state office for non-state museums), the Graphiteum was added.

On the tour, visitors wearing a helmet and smock descend over 220 steps to the fourth level at a depth of 45 meters and learn there how miners worked in the past and today. On roughly 350 square meters, the Graphiteum shows geology, miners' life, miners' traditions, and the high-tech applications of the mineral today; a time-travel installation leads back to the Cambrian, and a media tunnel into the future of the material. The illuminated winding tower illustrates the former shaft operation above ground, and a graphite trail about four kilometers long begins right at the mine.

Highlights

• Underground tour on the 4th level at a depth of 45 meters
• Interactive exhibition Graphiteum
• Tunnel of the future with media installation
• Illuminated historic winding tower
• Graphite trail starting at the show mine

Permanent exhibitions

• Graphiteum – Interactive exhibition on around 350 m² on the formation, mining, and applications of graphite, with a time journey to the Cambrian and a tunnel of the future.
• Untertageführung – Guided walk with helmet and smock down to the 4th level at a depth of 45 meters, following in the footsteps of the miners.

Founded

1983

Operated by

Graphit Kropfmühl Besucherbergwerk gGmbH

Admission & discounts

Payment in cash or by debit card; groups can also pay by invoice by arrangement.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• 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

Museum and exhibition area (Graphiteum) accessible without barriers. The underground area can only be reached via 220 steps and is not possible for wheelchair users or people with limited mobility.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available

No fixed minimum age, but children must always be accompanied by adults. Strollers and back carriers are not possible underground (220 steps). The Graphiteum offers interactive stations and models; with the flyer "Die 3 Schätze im Passauer Land" (The 3 Treasures in the Passau Region), children collect stamps at the mine, at the Granitzentrum Hauzenberg, and at the Haus am Strom.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A3 (exit Passau-Nord or Passau-Süd), then on the B388 toward Obernzell/Wegscheid to the turnoff for Hauzenberg, about 6 km after Passau.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

Drinks sold in the cafeteria; shop with souvenirs, jewelry, and minerals. Please plan your own meals. Dog kennels for the duration of the tour.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit