Oberharzer Bergwerksmuseum

About the museum

The idea for the museum dates back to 1884, when Adolf Achenbach, the Berghauptmann (head of the mining authority) in Clausthal, asked miners to contribute old tools and equipment for a collection. In 1892 this officially became the museum of the district of Zellerfeld, initially housed in rooms of the district administration and the town hall. After Clausthal and Zellerfeld merged, the collection moved into the former Zellerfeld town hall and reopened in 1928.

In the years that followed, an outdoor area was created behind the two roughly 300-year-old townhouses, where original mining installations from the Upper Harz were rebuilt – including a horse-powered winding engine (Pferdegöpel), a shaft building, a wheel chamber, and an ore processing plant. This makes the museum Germany's first open-air museum of technology. A short show mine beneath the grounds conveys what work underground was like.

The collection ranges from tools, miners' lamps, coins, and minerals to furniture and paintings, as well as an important series of historic teaching models from the Bergakademie (mining academy); one section commemorates Robert Koch, who grew up in Clausthal. Since 2010 the museum has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Upper Harz Water Management System and was long operated by the Stiftung Welterbe im Harz. Since January 2026, a nonprofit company founded by the Oberharzer Geschichts- und Museumsverein (Upper Harz history and museum association) has continued its operation, including outlying sites such as the Ottiliae-Schacht and the World Heritage tours.

Highlights

• Walk-in show mine beneath the museum grounds (guided tours only)
• Outdoor area with horse-powered winding engine, wheel chamber, ore processing plant, and mine smithy
• Collection of historic mining teaching models
• 29 exhibition rooms in two townhouses roughly 300 years old
• World Heritage tours above and below ground in the Upper Harz Water Management System
• Ottiliae-Schacht with Germany's oldest surviving steel headframe

Permanent exhibitions

• Bergbau- und kulturgeschichtliche Sammlung – Tools, miners' lamps, coins, minerals, paintings, and historic technical models show the work and everyday life of Upper Harz miners; with a section on Robert Koch.
• Freigelände und Schaubergwerk – Reconstructed original mining installations such as a horse-powered winding engine, wheel chamber, and ore processing plant, as well as an underground visitor gallery.
• Vom Wasserrad zur elektrisch angetriebenen Fördermaschine – Exhibition at the Ottiliae-Schacht satellite site on the development of hoisting technology, with a working winding engine.

Founded

1892

Operated by

Oberharzer Bergwerksmuseum gGmbH (Oberharzer Geschichts- und Museumsverein e.V.)

Director

Axel Funke und Justus Teicke (Geschäftsführung)

Admission & discounts

Prices shown are without a guided tour; the show mine can only be visited on a guided tour. Members of the Oberharzer Geschichts- und Museumsverein get free admission. No online ticket sales; card payment possible at the ticket desk. World Heritage tours are charged separately.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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

Due to their historic construction, the main building, outdoor area, and show mine are not accessible; assistance available by prior arrangement. Dogs not allowed, except assistance dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children's activities, holiday programs and themed tours; program "Ein Tag als Bergmann" (A Day as a Miner, ages 6–12), treasure hunt in the tunnel and search games in the museum. A minimum age of 4 is recommended for the show mine; not every tour is suitable for toddlers.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

Small museum shop in the entrance area with books, souvenirs and regional products; no cafeteria of its own, cafés nearby. Bicycle racks at the entrance.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

Up to 70 guests.

Rotes Haus (30–35 people, with kitchen), horse-powered winding engine house in the outdoor area (approx. 70 people, warmer months), Steigerbucht in the show mine (approx. 20 people, miners' meal on request), and the machine hall at the Ottiliae-Schacht (approx. 40 people); prices on request.

Plan your visit