Schaubergwerk Morassina

About the museum

Between 1683 and 1860, alum slate was mined in the area around Schmiedefeld in the Thuringian Slate Mountains (Thüringer Schiefergebirge) to produce alum and vitriol and, later, earth pigments such as ocher and "Thüringer Schwarz" (Thuringian black). This created a system of cavities on three levels with a total length of more than two kilometers. After mining ended, the mine was long forgotten until SDAG Wismut reopened it in 1951 in search of uranium ore and discovered the colorful dripstone and sinter formations.

From 1989 to 1992 the mine was developed for visitors, and it opened as a show mine on Whit Sunday (Pentecost) 1993. A small mining museum in the administration building and an educational trail on alum slate mining followed in 1995, and the "Sankt Barbara" healing gallery in 1996. That same year, Morassina was entered in the Guinness Book of Records for its combination of natural beauty and almost entirely original mine supports.

The municipality of Schmiedefeld operated the mine until 2020; when the municipality was incorporated into Saalfeld, the mine passed to the newly established Stiftung Morassina (Morassina Foundation). In addition to the regular guided tour through the grottoes and historic workings, there are special tours for children and adventure tours off the visitor path, an exhibition on mining, earth pigments, and glassmaking, and a health center offering healing-gallery therapy.

Highlights

• Colorful dripstone and sinter grottoes such as the "Stahlblaue Grotte" (Steel-Blue Grotto)
• Historic mine workings with largely original timber props
• "Sankt Barbara" healing gallery
• Earth pigments from the mine and paintings by Siegfried Geigenmüller
• Adventure and children's tours

Permanent exhibitions

• Erlebnisführung durch Grotten und Altbergbau – Tour from the youngest, brilliantly colored dripstone caves to the oldest part of the mine with its original supports.
• Heimatmuseum: Bergbau, Erdfarben und regionale Produkte – Exhibition with miners' tools and equipment, rocks, glass, sulfur matches, and paintings made with earth pigments.

Founded

1993

Operated by

Stiftung Morassina

Admission & discounts

Prices for the standard guided tour include the historic mine workings. Healing gallery treatments are charged separately.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• 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

Most of the tour route has been made accessible and can be navigated by wheelchair; accessible sun terrace. While the access road is closed (from September 28, 2026), please call ahead.

Kids & families

Great for kids & familiesRecommended for ages 3+

• Family tours & workshops
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

Visit recommended from age 3, but younger children may come along. Special children's tours: “Wichtelführung” (ages 4–7) and “JUNIOR-Expedition” (ages 8–10). Children's birthday parties with a tour, painting with earth pigments, and use of the visitor center or playground.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

Café in the visitor center with small dishes; shop (also online) with earth pigments and regional products. The temperature inside the mountain is about 7 °C year-round; warm clothing and sturdy shoes are necessary. Dogs are not allowed.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

Civil and celebrant-led wedding ceremonies year-round in the "Stahlblaue Grotte" 50 m underground (usage fee €250 plus registry office fees); children's birthday parties with a separate café area.

Plan your visit