Schmittenstollen, Former mercury mine and mining museum in Niederhausen, Germany.
Schmittenstollen is a former mercury mine in Niederhausen with an extensive system of tunnels displaying historical extraction techniques and the region's geology. The main passage runs through a substantial network of galleries where visitors can explore former work areas and rock formations.
Mining operations began in 1438 and continued as a significant mercury production site for several centuries. The mine closed in 1942 but reopened in 1981 as a public exhibition space.
The tunnels display tools and extraction methods used here across centuries, shaping how visitors understand the craft today. This site conveys how people worked underground in the region and what role this labor held in their lives.
Visitors should bring sturdy footwear and a jacket since the underground passages are cooler than the surface. Guided tours are available and help you explore the site safely and learn more about what you see.
This is the only mercury mine in Western Europe opened to the public, preserving medieval mining structures in their original setting. The exposed tool marks and stone carvings in the walls tell the story of miners from earlier times.
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