Samson Pit, Historical mine in Sankt Andreasberg, Germany.
Samson Pit is a former silver mine near Sankt Andreasberg with two water-powered installations from the early mining era. Inside you can see working mechanical parts and the original water management system that miners relied on.
The mine was founded in 1521 and produced silver ore until 1910, making it one of the most productive operations in the entire Upper Harz region. This long period of operation shows how important it was to the area's economic growth.
The exhibits show tools and equipment that reveal how miners worked and improved their methods over centuries. You can see the practical side of mining and understand why this location mattered so much to the region.
Visitors can join guided tours through the facility to explore the underground areas and technical systems. It helps to plan ahead since tours run on set times and the underground paths have uneven ground.
The pit contains a well-preserved Fahrkunst, an old wooden beam elevator system that transported miners up and down. This system is still partially intact today and shows how people solved mechanical challenges underground back then.
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