MiMa Mineralogy and Mathematics Museum, museum
The MiMa Mineralogy and Mathematics Museum in Oberwolfach is a museum combining mineral collections with mathematical exhibits, housed in a restored historic farmhouse. The displays feature crystals and rocks from the Black Forest, especially from the Clara mine, alongside interactive mathematical installations and computer programs explaining symmetry and crystal structures.
The museum opened in 2010 after renovation and connects two important regional themes: Black Forest mining centered on the Clara mine and the mathematical research of the local institute. The collection also documents stories of historical mining from the 18th and 19th centuries and the discovery of the mineral Oberwolfachite in the area.
The museum's name comes from a mineral discovered in this region, showing the deep connection between Oberwolfach and mineralogy. Visitors see how Black Forest mining traditions and modern mathematical research sit side by side in the rooms, each helping explain the other.
The bright and welcoming exhibition rooms are easy to walk through and offer many opportunities to try interactive displays without needing any special knowledge beforehand. A shop on site sells minerals and books, and staff are available to answer questions about the exhibits.
The museum features a special crystal painting program where visitors can create symmetric patterns on computer, and displays interactive puzzle games based on Penrose tiles. These playful elements make abstract mathematical concepts directly tangible.
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