Mineralien- und Bergbaumuseum Hückelhoven

About the museum

The museum goes back to the Mineralien- und Bergbaufreunde club of the town of Hückelhoven, founded in 1997 to keep the town's mining tradition alive. The first building opened to visitors on May 18, 2003; today it is in the center of Hückelhoven on Ludovicistraße.

The mining section commemorates the Sophia-Jacoba coal mine, from which all of the exhibits come. Reconstructed scenes show work underground, including a tool store, a gallery being driven, a working underground bicycle and the mine rescue brigade. In the entrance area stands a Barbara altar, which also serves as a memorial to the miners who died in accidents; it was dedicated in 2000.

Beside it, the museum shows minerals from around the world, with a focus on finds from Sophia-Jacoba, as well as plant fossils about 300 million years old from the coal-mining region. Many of the collections are long-term loans from private collectors, including mining lamps and a micro-mount collection used for youth work. Each year the club holds a family festival and an international mineral and mining fair.

Highlights

• Recreated mine scenes with original pieces from the Sophia-Jacoba colliery
• Fluorescent minerals in two UV-light display cases
• Plant fossils from the Carboniferous coal age
• Barbara altar as a memorial for miners who died in accidents
• Microscope station with micro-mounts

Permanent exhibitions

• Bergbau Sophia-Jacoba – Recreated scenes from underground mining with the colliery's exhibits, from gallery driving to the mine rescue brigade.
• Mineralien und Fossilien – Minerals from around the world, Carboniferous plant fossils and fluorescent pieces in UV-light display cases.

Founded

2003

Operated by

Mineralien- und Bergbaufreunde in der Stadt Hückelhoven e.V.

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission and guided tours during regular opening hours are free; donations are welcome.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Annual family festival at the museum with a treasure hunt in the sandbox; children may ring the shaft bells and emergency signal themselves, and microscopes show tiny mineral specimens (micro-mounts).

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the center of Hückelhoven, Ludovicistraße 1; from the center, follow the signs to the Mineralien- und Bergbaumuseum.

Amenities & dining

On opening days there is coffee and cake, grilled food, or stew or soup, depending on the weather.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit