The facilities of today’s Rammelsberg museum and visitor mine, together with the old town of Goslar, were added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites in 1992 and look back on over a thousand years of history.
Mining at Rammelsberg dates back around three millennia. Initially, copper ore was mined for bronze production and small quantities of silver were also extracted for coin production. Silver coins minted in Goslar were already in circulation in the late 10th century. From the 15th century onwards, lead ore was the main product, and in the last decades until the mine was closed, zinc ore and barite were also important products of the Rammelsberg.
After the closure of the Rammelsberg ore mine in 1988, a citizens’ initiative prevented the mine from being demolished and made it possible to reopen it as a visitor mine. You can enjoy the Rammelsberg World Heritage Site from “below” in two permanent guided tours and a special tour (adventure tour) in the underground mine rooms. Mine guides will inform you about the mining and historical context.
On the open winding car of a restored inclined elevator, you will climb 43 meters in height on a leisurely ride and see the impressive mine complex of the World Heritage Site from “above”.
