Aurora Erbstolln

Useful Information

Location:	01738 Dorfhain. Near Dorfhain, between Winkelmühle and Hosenmühle. (50.924996, 13.550532)
Open:	APR to OKT Sat 10-14:30. [2023]
Fee:	Adults EUR 4.50, Children EUR 3.50, Families EUR 13. [2023]
Classification:	Silver Mine
Light:	Helmet and lamp are provided
Dimension:
Guided tours:	L=200 m, D=35 min, MinAge=6, Max=8.
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Aurora Erbstolln e.V., Vorsitzender: Silvio Lehmann, Saydaer Straße 7, 09623 Frauenstein, Tel: +49-162-490-62-29. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1511	mining in Dorfhain mentioned for the first time
16th century	beginning of silver mining, with interruptions.
1792	mine reopened.
1894	mining in Aurora Erbstolln ceased.
1927	investigation by Hallisches Laboramt.
1949	prospecting by SDAG Wismut.
1953	prospecting by SDAG Wismut.
1986	beginning of development as a show mine.
01-APR-1989	opened as a show mine.

Geology

Aurora Erbstolln is a silver mine. In the Freiberg Graugneis (grey gneiss), ore veins with fluorite and baryte were mined, and silver-bearing galena and chalcopyrite as ores.

Description

The Aurora Erbstolln (Aurora Adit) is a silver mine where an attempt was made to restore the condition of the site at the time of closure in 1894. It shows the typical development of mining on the edge of the large Saxon mining districts. It is located in the valley of the Wilde Weißeritz near Dorfhain, along the mining nature trail. It can be reached on foot in 5 minutes from the car park on the mining trail.

Although it is actually an adit, a tunnel used for drainage, it was at the same time the access to the mine and gallery through which the ore was transported out of the mine. The mine has a reconstructed wooden winch. There are also the typical workings where silver-bearing lead and copper ore, as well as barite and fluorite, were mined. Visitors are provided with a protective cape, helmet and lamp. Sturdy footwear is strongly recommended.

The Bergbaulehrpfad im Tal der Wilden Weißeritz (mining nature trail in the valley of the Wilde Weißeritz) connects numerous witnesses of 19th century mining history. Convenient is the start at the DB Dresden-Chemnitz line stop with the "Edle Krone" mine complex and the well-preserved mine house. From here, the trail continues along the Wild Weisseritz past various mining history points, pits, mine mouths and more. Highlights include the "Unverhofft Glück" mine, the Niedermühle mill with its vertical saw gate, the Stübemühle mill, the show mine and the Getrost Mut Erbstolln mine. The end of the tour is at the Klingenberg-Colmnitz DB station in Klingenberg. Of course, everyone is free to hike only part of the route or to do a circular walk. It is particularly interesting to combine the mining trail with the SachsenEnergie-Erlebnispfad (SachsenEnergie adventure trail), which demonstrates environmentally friendly hydroelectricity at six historic hydroelectric power stations. This trail, however, is considerably longer with a length of 40 km along the Rote and Wilde Weißeritz rivers.