Zeche Minister Stein, Coal mine in Dortmund, Germany.
Zeche Minister Stein is a former coal mine in Dortmund with a steel hammerhead winding tower and multiple mining shafts that are still visible on the grounds. The site's layout shows the industrial infrastructure needed to extract coal and manage operations underground.
Operations started in 1856 and continued for more than a century as a major source of coal for German industry. The mine closed in 1987, marking the end of a long mining era in the region.
The mining complex reflects how coal shaped the identity of people who lived and worked in this industrial region. Walking through the site, you can sense how deeply mining influenced the daily lives and communities of Dortmund.
The grounds are open for visitors to walk around and view the industrial structures up close. Wear comfortable shoes since you will be walking across an open site with uneven surfaces.
A memorial on the site honors 136 miners who died in an accident in 1925. This monument serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers and human cost of mining work.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
