Bethaus der Bergleute, building in Witten, Germany
The Bethaus der Bergleute is a sandstone building from the early 1830s located in the Muttental valley near Witten that documents local mining history. The upper floor functioned as a gathering room for miners, while the lower floor housed a workshop for manufacturing mining tools.
The building was constructed in the early 1830s and initially served as a prayer house and workshop for miners from nearby mines. After around 1850 it was converted into a residence, and since 1974 it has housed a small mining museum with exhibits on historical tools.
The prayer house served miners as a spiritual gathering place where they found moments of peace before descending into the mines. Here they prayed together, shared news, and prepared mentally for their shifts underground.
The building is easy to find and located near other attractions on walking paths through the Muttental valley. Visitors can view the old prayer room and workshop indoors and find a small cafe with garden seating.
The original blacksmith forge in the lower floor still exists and is occasionally operated for demonstrations showing how mining tools were made 200 years ago. This functioning workshop gives visitors direct insight into the craftsmanship skills miners needed.
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