Heimat- und Industriemuseum Wackersdorf
Museum in the former BBI laboratory building in Wackersdorf on lignite mining, local history, club life, prehistory and minerals.
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About the museum
The museum tells how lignite mining changed Wackersdorf in the 20th century. The Bayerische Braunkohlen-Industrie (BBI) extracted about 185 million tons of coal in and around the town, the last ton in September 1982. The village itself had to give way to the open-cast mines and was rebuilt almost entirely elsewhere; in the 1970s the municipality was among the richest in Bavaria.
The exhibition is housed in Werk 27, the former BBI laboratory building, directly at the junction of B 85 and Industriestraße. Besides mining, it shows local history and club life, prehistoric finds brought to light by the open-cast mine, and a mineral collection. A volunteer team runs the house and also looks after the neighboring Geotop 99 "Wackersdorfer Braunkohle" (Wackersdorf lignite), where a coal seam has been exposed.
In the 1980s, Wackersdorf also became known for the protests against the planned reprocessing plant (WAA), whose construction was halted in 1989. Today an innovation park with international industrial companies extends across the site.
Highlights
- History of lignite mining in Wackersdorf
- Local history and club life
- Prehistoric finds from the open-cast mine
- Mineral collection
- Geotop 99 with an exposed coal seam right next door
Permanent exhibition
- Braunkohle, Ortsgeschichte und Vorgeschichte – The exhibition looks at lignite mining and its consequences for the town and society, with finds from the open-cast mine, club history and minerals.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €1 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €0.50Children aged 6 to 16 and people with disabilities |
| Children & teens | €0.50free up to age 5 · Children aged 6 to 16; free under 6 |
| Visitors with disabilities | €0.50 |
Free admission for children under 6 and for holders of the Bavarian Ehrenamtskarte (volunteer card). The neighboring Geotop 99 is free to visit.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- 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 museum is not barrier-free: the rooms are cramped and reached only by numerous steps.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Free parking
Free parking directly at the museum.
The museum and the Geotop are right at the junction of B 85 and Industriestraße.
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 |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Group tours year-round on request. At Geotop 99, guided tours take place from April to October on the last Sunday of each month at 14:00 (meeting point: the parking lot in front of the Geotop). |
