Bergwerksmuseum Grube Glasebach

About the museum

Silver and fluorspar were already being mined around Straßberg in the Lower Harz around 1400. The mine on the Glasebach stream, which once marked the border between the County of Stolberg and the Principality of Anhalt-Bernburg, first appears in the records in 1689. In the 18th century, periods of operation and standstill alternated several times; under changing names and operators, mining claims on shafts were filed anew, pumping systems were renewed and mining resumed.

After World War II, a state-owned shaft-sinking company reopened the old shaft in 1949/50 and sank it below the fifth level to extract fluorite. The wooden huts above ground date from this period; in 1976 the twelve-meter steel headframe that still defines the site today was added. Extraction ended in 1982; the shaft then served to ventilate a neighboring fluorspar mine until the last cage ride took place in 1990.

In June 1995 the Grube Glasebach opened as a mining museum, initially run by a friends' association founded specifically for this purpose. Today it presents, underground, two originally preserved levels of the old mine with oak timbering, dry-stone walling and remains of the Straßberg water-lifting technology, and above ground, the facilities and machinery of the 20th century as well as an exhibition on mining and minerals.

Highlights

• Guided tour across two levels of the old mine (17th/18th century)
• Reconstructed water wheel with a 9.5 m diameter in the wheel chamber
• Remains of the "Straßberger Schwingkunst" for lifting water
• Colorful mineralization, including fluorspar
• Headframe from 1976 and outdoor museum with mining equipment

Permanent exhibitions

• Bergwerk unter Tage – Guided walk across two preserved levels with timber supports, an inclined shaft and historical water-lifting technology from the old mine.
• Ausstellung und Außenmuseum – Museum on the history of the mine and the Straßberg mining district with minerals, tools and models, plus an outdoor area with a headframe and 20th-century machinery.

Founded

1995

Operated by

AFG Harz mbH

Admission & discounts

Cash only, no card payment. Free admission with the HarzCard.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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 underground tour is on foot and partly via stairs in the main shaft, so it is not suitable for wheelchair users. No information is available on the surface facilities.

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kidsRecommended for ages 5+

For safety reasons, children under 5 may not take part in the underground tour.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Snack bar at the info point with regional home-style food (including pea soup, bread with lard) and beer from a small Straßberg brewery; Tscherper meal bookable for 8 or more people. Shop with minerals and souvenirs, stamp station 175 of the Harzer Wandernadel.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit