Himmelfahrt Fundgrube

About the museum

Freiberg silver mining began in the 12th century and shaped the town for eight centuries. The Himmelfahrt Fundgrube developed in the 19th century into one of the largest and technically most advanced mine complexes in Europe: in the middle of the century almost 3,000 miners worked here, and between 1840 and 1896 hundreds of tons of silver were extracted.

With the introduction of the gold standard in 1873, the price of silver collapsed. The state took over the large mines, and operations were gradually discontinued by 1913. Between 1937 and 1969, mining revived once more before ending for good.

Since 1919, the Bergakademie Freiberg has used parts of the complex as a teaching and research mine; today students and scientists of the TU Bergakademie work underground. Since the early 1990s, guests can also descend. The tourist operation is run by the Förderverein Himmelfahrt Fundgrube (friends' association), founded in 1992, whose members work as guides, machine operators and locomotive drivers.

After a closure of several years for construction work on the headframe and hoisting machine, the cage has been taking visitor groups down the Reiche Zeche shaft again since September 2023.

Highlights

• Ride in the cage to a depth of around 150 m
• Active research and teaching mine of the TU Bergakademie Freiberg
• Mine workings from the 16th to the 20th century
• Adventure tour with ladder sections through narrow old mining passages
• Mining history hikes to shafts and to the Roter Graben

Operated by

Förderverein Himmelfahrt Fundgrube Freiberg/Sachsen e.V. (Besucherbetrieb); TU Bergakademie Freiberg

Director

Jens Kugler

Admission & discounts

Prices apply per person and tour; concessions only with ID. Minimum number of participants 3 people.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• 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

According to the visitor regulations, underground tours are not possible for people who need walking aids, people with a severe disability ID, pregnant women, and people with circulatory problems or a tendency toward epilepsy. The tour at the Alte Elisabeth is also unsuitable for wheelchairs and rollators. Pets are not allowed in the Alte Elisabeth building.

Kids & families

Great for kids & familiesRecommended for ages 6+

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly: not available

The EntdeckerTour is possible from age 6 and offers a family rate; GrubenTour and ErlebnisTour only from age 12. The Förderverein offers holiday programs and projects such as "Schule unter Tage" (School Underground).

Getting there & parking

Visitor address: Silberbergwerk "Reiche Zeche", Fuchsmühlenweg 9, 09599 Freiberg.

Amenities & dining

Protective clothing and a helmet are provided; for tours in the open mine field also rubber boots and a cap lamp.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 100 guests.

Above ground, the renovated Old Hoisting Machine House (up to 100 people); underground, Wilhelmstolln (up to 72 people) and Ziegenstall (up to 30 people); catering can be arranged. The underground rooms are currently not rented out because of construction work.

Plan your visit