Himmelfahrt Mine, Historic mining site in Freiberg, Germany

Alte Elisabeth is a former silver mine in Freiberg with a network of underground passages reaching up to 150 meters beneath the surface. The site includes different areas showing the working conditions and techniques used during the mining era.

The mine was founded in the Middle Ages and became one of Europe's most important silver mines from the 18th century onward. It played a major role in the economy of the Saxony region across many generations.

The name Alte Elisabeth comes from the former Sankt Elisabeth mine, one of Freiberg's richest in the 16th century, which yielded 3.7 tonnes of silver between 1525 and 1673. The site is now used by TU Bergakademie Freiberg as a teaching and research mine, and since 1991 visitors have been able to go underground.

Visitors receive equipment and are guided by experienced leaders through the underground passages. Tours are available in different languages and operate during the facility's open hours.

The shaft "Alte Elisabeth" was sunk at its present site from 1808 and was used to drive the non-state section of the Rothschönberger Stolln, a drainage adit. The mine field of Himmelfahrt, to which it belonged, is associated with 330 named mines, and the contract of 1384 mentions the "Vordere" and "Hintere Reiche Zeche" shafts.