The Upper Harz was one of the most important ore districts in Germany.
The main source of income was silver; from the 16th to the middle of the 19th century, about 14-50% of the silver mined throughout Germany was extracted in the Upper Harz.
The total number of silver mines that once operated around the mining town of St. Andreasberg can be estimated at around 300.
Visit the mines and experience mining!
Weltkulturerbe Grube Samson
The Samson silver mine is the only Upper Harz mine that has been preserved in its original condition at its old location. With a complete water wheel system and a wire rope driving art from 1837, it is an internationally recognised mining monument and absolutely worth seeing.
Grube Catharina Neufang
The Catharina Neufang mine is located in the immediate vicinity of the Samson mine and is also operated by the Samson mine museum. It provides a deep insight into mining in Agricola's time.
Grube Roter Bär
The day tunnel of the Roter Bär iron ore mine, which has been converted into a visitor mine, provides an authentic insight into the world of former mining in the Harz mountains.
The areas that are easily accessible today provide interesting geological insights and show the mining technology used in the 1920s, e.g. blind shaft construction site with compressed air reel.
High the resin and deep the ore each dawn lifts the heart
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