Historische Weiherschleife

About the museum

Since the 15th century, the region's gemstones were processed in grinding mills. At one time 183 of them stood on the Idarbach, the Nahe and other streams around Idar-Oberstein, 56 of them on the Idarbach alone. In the first decades of the 20th century, the stream grinding wheels were gradually shut down; they fell into disrepair and disappeared from the landscape.

The Historische Weiherschleife, properly the Kallwiesweiherschleife, ran intermittently until 1945. After that it faced decay, but it was restored in 1953/54 and, after another renovation in 1996/97, reopened to visitors. It is the last agate grinding mill on the Idarbach driven by a waterwheel; the water comes from the Kallwies pond.

At the large sandstone grinding wheels, grinders show how work was done in the past, some of them lying face-down on so-called grinding tilt-stools. The mill is complemented by a small gemstone exhibition, a multimedia show, a mineral room and a children's gem-digging site. It is operated together with the Steinkaulenberg gem mines by Edelsteinminen GmbH.

Highlights

• Last water-driven agate grinding wheel on the Idarbach
• Live demonstration at sandstone grinding wheels
• Multimedia show "Das Geheimnis der Edelsteine"
• Children's gem-digging site and gemstone touch room
• Pedal boats on the Kallwies pond

Permanent exhibitions

• Live-Vorführung der Schleifkunst – Grinders show on water-driven sandstone wheels how gemstones were processed in the past.
• Multimediashow „Das Geheimnis der Edelsteine“ – Multimedia presentation on the formation and processing of gemstones, given in several languages.
• Edelsteinausstellung und Mineralienraum – Small exhibition of gemstones and a mineral room, which also covers the esoteric field.

Operated by

Edelsteinminen GmbH

Admission & discounts

Children under 6 enter free when accompanied by family. With the guest or family card (purchased on site or reserved by phone): adults €8.10, young people €7; with the family card, the first child enters free. The children's gem-digging site must be booked separately.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Certified for accessibility ("Reisen für Alle"). Step-free access, a WC that can be reached by wheelchair from the side, a parking space for people with disabilities; assistance dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Children's gem-digging site (daily at 10:00, 12:30 and 15:00, about two hours; registration by phone at 06781 31513 or 901918), a gemstone touch room to handle, and pedal boats on the Kallwies pond.

Getting there & parking

The directions sketch on the website leads from Idar-Oberstein station to the Weiherschleife.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Mineral shop on site; a restaurant is in the immediate vicinity.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit