Salinenmuseum Unteres Bohrhaus
Industrial museum in the original buildings of the Royal Saltworks Wilhelmshall, showing salt production on the upper Neckar near Rottweil.
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About the museum
The Royal Saltworks Wilhelmshall, founded in 1824 and shut down in 1969, was the oldest industrial enterprise in Rottweil. Salt production began in 1825; the Untere Bohrhaus (lower drilling house) was built in 1836. The site still includes two headframes, the brine warden's house, the water wheel that drove the pumps, and the dome-shaped brine tanks built between 1827 and 1837, which are regarded as an example of early industrial architecture.
The museum was founded in 1979 by the Solebadverein Rottweil and is run by the Förderverein Salinenmuseum Rottweil e. V. (friends' association). In 1983, a round brine tank was moved to the museum grounds, where it has served as an exhibition space since. The exhibition was redesigned in 2014.
The displays vividly show cooking-salt production with original equipment, the water wheel and two brine pumps, as well as plans, photographs, documents, geology, machines and tools. Rottweil's spa culture is also featured. In Bohrhaus 8, an excerpt from a historic slide show plays on a continuous loop.
Highlights
- Original buildings of the Wilhelmshall saltworks from 1836
- Water wheel and two brine pumps
- Cooking-salt production with original equipment
- Dome-shaped round brine tank as an exhibition space
- Free open guided tours and audio guide
- Children's workshops about salt
Permanent exhibition
- Saline Wilhelmshall und Salzgewinnung – Cultural-history overview with plans, photographs, documents, geology, machines and tools from the saltworks founded in 1824, plus cooking-salt production in the original buildings.
- Founded
- 1979
- Operated by
- Förderverein Salinenmuseum Rottweil e. V.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €2 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freeChildren and young people have free admission. |
| Group tour (max. 18 people, 45 to 60 minutes) | €30Per group, plus €2 admission per person (children free). |
| Tour with traditional salt-boiler's snack (from 14 people) | €20Per person, including admission, tour, snack and drinks; children aged 3 to 12 pay €10. |
| Tour with workshop (max. 15 people) | €45Per group, plus admission (adults) and material costs per person. |
Guided tours for individual visitors are free.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
Children's tours with workshops (depending on the module, from age 4, 6 or 8), e.g., making scented or herb salt, salt dough, plaster bandages, an expedition with puzzles, a photo rally and a fairy-tale hour. The salt is obtained by boiling brine on site.
Getting there & parking
The museum is hidden in the Primtal valley in the southwest of Rottweil. Coaches must approach via a different, non-public access road; directions are on the website.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
The site can be rented for family celebrations and club festivities; inquiries to bohrhausmieten@gmx.de.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Audio guides can be borrowed during opening hours. Group tours and workshops by arrangement via email at bohrhaus-fuehrung@gmx.de. |
