Besucherbergwerk Ramsbeck

Erzbergwerk Ramsbeck - Venetianerstollen - Sauerländer Besucherbergwerk

Useful Information

Location:	Ramsbeck, near Bestwig.
Open:	02-JAN to 03-DEC Tue-Sun, Hol 9-17, first tour 11:30, last tour 16. 05-DEC to 01-JAN undeground tour closed, museum open. [2010]
Fee:	Adults EUR 7.50, Children (4-15) EUR 5, Children (0-3) frei, Disabled EUR 5. Groups (20+): Adults EUR 7, Children (4-15) EUR 4.50. Museum only: Adults EUR 4, Children (4-15) EUR 2, Children (0-3) frei, Disabled EUR 2. [2010]
Classification:	Tin Mine Zinc Mine Silver Mine
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:	T=12 °C.
Guided tours:	L=700 m + 1,500 m mine train, D=2 h, St=40.
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Erzbergwerk Ramsbeck, Glück-Auf-Straße 3, D-59909 Bestwig-Ramsbeck, Tel: +49-2905-250. Info: Verkehrsamt der Gemeinde Bestwig, Rathausplatz 1, 59909 Bestwig, Tel: +49-2904-987-166, Fax: +49-2904-987-274. 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

1500 B.C.	first mining activities during the Broze Age.
1518	first written account of mining at Ramsbeck.
1559	the Bergfreiheit was awarded, which included various rights and exemption from taxation.
1759	a coin called des Ramsbecker Ausbeutetalers is minted for the first time.
1815	all mines are united to form the Ramsbecker Gewerkschaft.
1850	bought by the Rheinisch-Westfälischer Bergwerkverein.
1854	bought by the Stollberger Gesellschaft.
1855	insolvency of the Stollberger Gesellschaft.
1923	mining stopped because of inflation and worldwide economic crisis.
1933	reopened.
1945	mining stopped after World War II.
1946	reopened.
1947	modernizing.
1960	biggest underground mining machine built.
1971	rail less techology introduced.
31-JAN-1974	final closure of mine.
27-AUG-1974	opening of mining museum.
1993	special tours to the Ramsbecker Dichterz.

Geology

Description

Mining at Ramsbeck has a long history with many ups and downs. The first mining activities in the area happened supposedly during the Bronce Age about 1500 BC. But the first written account about mining in the area is from 1518. Although the mines have been sold several times and despite cases of insolvency, the mines were closed only twice, once betweem the World Wars because of inflation and worldwide economic crisis, and a second time after World War II. The mine worked until the mid 1970s and was continually modernized. The last changes were the introduction of huge underground mining machinery and not rail bound machines. When the mine was finally closed in 1974, it was immediately converted into a show mine. The saved some jobs and mining machinery.

During the operation of the mine in Ramsbeck, 13.5 million tons of raw ore were mined. This raw ore was concentrated to 1.5 million tons of lead/zinc ore, which was smelted to 800,000 tons of metal. At the beginning of the 1970s the mining operation was completely mechanized and rationalized. The remaining 450 employees mined 500,000 to 600,000 tons of raw ore per year, which contained about 20,000 tons of metal.

The visit in Ramsbeck starts with the Erzbergbaumuseum (ore mining museum), which is located in the Lohnhalle. The museum shows numerous machines and a huge mineral collection. The visitor gets a good overview of the local mining history. The zentral display is a audio-visual slide show.

The show mine is entered, equipped with helmet and protective suits. The original mine train brings the visitors 1,500 m into the mountain, where the original mine is explored by foot. This tour does not include a visit to the Ramsbecker Dichterz, a special local ore type, which is shown only on special tours after appointment.

The Venetianerstollen south of the show mine is weird, in particular it is only 1.40 m high, making it very difficult to visit. That is why it is not accessible. However, the entrance is visible and signposted. The low passage has led to curious explanations, from copper mining in the Bronze Age to mining by the legendary and diminutive Explain Venetians.