Lava-Dome Mendig

About the museum

The town of Mendig opened the Lava-Dome on July 30, 2005 as the Deutsches Vulkanmuseum (German Volcano Museum). It is one of the central information and experience centers of the Vulkanpark in the Osteifel region around Laacher See. The scenography was designed by the Stuttgart firm Milla & Partner, with expert advice from the Deutsche Vulkanologische Gesellschaft.

The exhibition spreads over two floors on about 700 square meters. On the first floor ("Im Land der Vulkane"), a volcanic eruption is simulated in a multimedia show, "talking stones" tell of famous eruptions, a seismic monitor shows current earthquakes, and in the circular cinema a fictional news broadcast plays through a renewed eruption of the Laacher See volcano. On the second floor, the volcano workshop with ten experiment stations and the "Zeit der Vulkane" area invite visitors to try things out.

The visit includes the lava cellars: a network of tunnels and shafts that extends at a depth of about 32 meters across almost three square kilometers beneath Mendig. It came about when, from the late Middle Ages, the basaltic lava of a lava flow was quarried as building stone. In the 19th century, up to 28 breweries stored their beer in the uniformly cool vaults, until Linde's refrigeration technology made them unnecessary. The cellars are accessible only with a guided tour; nearby are also the open-air area Museumslay and the pumice wall at the Wingertsberg.

Highlights

• Multimedia-simulated volcanic eruption
• Circular cinema with a future scenario of an eruption of the Laacher See volcano
• Volcano workshop with ten experiment stations
• Tour into the lava cellars, 150 steps down into a cooled lava flow
• Open-air area Museumslay

Permanent exhibitions

• Im Land der Vulkane – First floor with simulated volcanic eruption, volcano cinema, "talking stones", seismic monitor and circular cinema on the scenario of a new Laacher See eruption.
• Vulkanwerkstatt und Zeit der Vulkane – Second floor with ten interactive experiment stations on volcanism and a play world for children.
• Lavakeller – Guided walk at a depth of 32 m through tunnels of historic basalt quarrying that later served breweries as beer cellars.

Founded

2005

Operated by

Stadt Mendig

Admission & discounts

Payment in cash or by card; groups can also pay by invoice on request.

Accessibility

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

The museum and lava cellar are accessible via elevators; each has a loaner wheelchair available. For visitors with visual impairments, the audio guide is also available in German. Dogs are not allowed, except guide dogs and assistance dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

The volcano workshop offers ten play and experiment stations, plus there is a separate play world where fairy tales are told. Children up to 100 cm in height have free admission.

Getting there & parking

Take the A 61, exit Mendig/Maria Laach, onto the B 262 and follow the signs for Mendig/Lava-Dome/Lavakeller; the Lava-Dome is located below the brewery.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Civil weddings in the lava cellar by appointment with the Mendig registry office.

Plan your visit