Bergbaumuseum Bleicherode

Useful Information

Location:	Nordhäuser Str. 70, 99752 Bleicherode. (51.452697, 10.597011)
Open:	After appointment. [2026]
Fee:	free. [2026]
Classification:	Salt Mine
Light:	Electric Light
Dimension:
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Bergmannsverein "Glückauf" Bleicherode e. V., Herr Peter Hellmuth, Zu den Stielwerken 04, 99752 Bleicherode, Tel: +49-36338-63574. 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

Geology

Description

The Bergbaumuseum Bleicherode (Bleicherode Mining Museum), also known as the (Bleicherode Potash Mining Museum), is actually an exhibition run by the "Glückauf" Bleicherode Miners’ Association in the western mine office of the Bleicherode potash mine. It is listed under the somewhat generic name Historical Exhibition, and is exactly that: a small museum dedicated to the history of mining in Bleicherode. The exhibition covers the first mining explorations via drilling for the potash deposit south of the Harz Mountains around 1888/1889, the sinking of the shaft, and the construction of the surface plant for processing the raw salts. It also explains the end of mining in 1990. Tools, machinery, and everyday items are on display.

Various mines in central Germany have a special history at the time of the Second World War. Once the tide of the war had turned and air raids became more frequent, treasures were moved out of Berlin’s major museums. The 600-metre-deep chambers in Bleicherode were used for storage. In addition, underground arms factories were established, in which prisoners of war and forced labourers from Eastern Europe were working. This occurred simultaneously in many mines in central Germany, but the large chambers in potash mines were particularly favoured due to their size. However, they also had disadvantages; the corrosive effect of the salty air made precision engineering difficult. Furthermore, the tunnels between the mining halls were often too small and had to be widened. A notable event occurred following the devastating Royal Air Force bombing raid of 17 and 18 August 1943 on the Peenemünde Army Research Centre. It was there that rocket scientists led by Wernher von Braun developed and built the V2. Some of their facilities were relocated here to Bleicherode, and from early 1945 onwards, the majority of the scientists formerly stationed at Peenemünde were also based here. The area was occupied by American troops, who also took Wernher von Braun with them to the USA. Other scientists, whom they left behind when the area was ceded to the Red Army, were transferred to the USSR in 1947 and played a key role in the construction of Sputnik in 1957.

Potash mining was a key economic factor in the GDR, but after reunification it was no longer competitive and so the mine was closed as early as 1990. Today it is used as a final repository for hazardous waste. The above-ground buildings, including the winding tower, clock tower and mine office, are listed as historic monuments. The same applies to part of the tunnels. The site is also part of the European Route of Industrial Heritage. Unfortunately, very little is accessible; the site is leased and, as company premises, access is restricted. The mining museum is well worth a visit, although there do not appear to be regular opening hours. It is apparently open on special public holidays, when it is also possible to go down into the mine.