Zeittunnel Wülfrath

About the museum

The Zeittunnel uses a former 160-meter-long mining tunnel of the Bochumer Bruch, where limestone was quarried for decades in the Niederberg area. Over about 60 years, around 18 million tons of rock were extracted there; the cliff walls, up to 70 meters high, still shape the landscape today.

An experience exhibition has been set up in the tunnel, telling 400 million years of Earth history in alternating dark sections and colorful "time windows". It ranges from early life forms and dinosaurs to the continental drift, the first humans and the industrial history of limestone quarrying.

The house is run by the non-profit cooperative Zeittunnel Wülfrath e. G., whose members include the City of Wülfrath, the Mettmann district, the Kreissparkasse Düsseldorf, a limestone company, and many private individuals and associations. At the tunnel exit lies the Bochumer Bruch, which is now a nature reserve; the grounds include a sensory garden and a sculpture exhibition.

Highlights

• 160-meter tunnel with 400 million years of Earth history
• Viewing platforms Zeitsprung and an inclined lift at the quarry edge
• View of quarry walls up to 70 meters high
• Hammering area for finding minerals and fossils
• Sensory garden with barefoot path and tunnel café on the Panoramaradweg

Permanent exhibition

• Zeittunnel – 400 Millionen Jahre Erdgeschichte – Experience exhibition in the quarry tunnel, from early life forms and dinosaurs to the industrial history of limestone quarrying.

Operated by

Genossenschaft Zeittunnel Wülfrath e. G.

Admission & discounts

Guided tours cost an extra €55 (children's groups) or €70 (adult groups) on top of admission; public guided tours are included at regular admission. For school programs with a guided tour, two accompanying adults enter free.

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

The exhibition in the tunnel and the outdoor grounds are partly barrier-free; the Zeittunnel can be visited easily with a wheelchair or rollator.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children's birthday parties with dinosaur, fossil or gemstone themes (from age 6 to 8), school programs, a hammering area for minerals and fossils, and a sandbox with semi-precious stones.

Getting there & parking

By car, from the Wülfrath exit of the A535 follow the signs to Wülfrath, then from Wilhelmstraße to the address Hammerstein 5. The Zeittunnel lies directly on the PanoramaRadweg Niederbergbahn.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Tunnel café and beer garden in front of the shop, with cold drinks, snacks and ice cream; cake on weekends and public holidays. E-bike charging station and repair station in the parking lot.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Outdoor areas are available for events: forecourt (858 m²), concrete area (242 m²) and stage (86 m²), plus chairs and beer-tent table sets.

Plan your visit