Schachtanlage Knesebeck

The Knesebeck mine is located in the north-western part of the Harz Mountains in Bad Grund. It is part of the Hilfe-Gottes mine, which belongs to the Grund ore mine. The mine was closed in 1992 and was the last producing ore mine in Germany. The Knesebeck mine, which has a depth of 499 metres, is part of the Oberharzer Wasserregal (Upper Harz Water Regime), as is the Samson mine.

Historical facts about the Knesebeck mine

Ore mining began in the Hilfe-Gottes mine in 1831. After merging with the Bergwerkswohlfahrt mine in 1923, it formed the Grund ore mine. In 1855, the Knesebeck shaft was sunk and used as a light hole for the Ernst-August-Stollen. A short time later, it was converted into a material and driving shaft. In 1974 the mine was closed down and the Knesebeck shaft was used as a ventilation shaft until the mine was closed.

A visit to Knesebeck shaft

You can visit the mining museum at the Knesebeck mine, which was opened in 1986 while the mine was still in operation. In the museum you can learn all about the history of mining in the Upper Harz. In addition, a variety of machines and vehicles that were once used underground are on display. You should not miss the restored sweeping and artificial wheel houses with their water wheels, which are up to 12 metres high, during your visit to the Knesebeck mine. Also on the site is the 47-metre-high compressor tower, which is the last of its kind in the world. It was part of a hydraulic system for generating compressed air and is part of the Upper Harz Water Management. Of course, you can also visit the gallery on a guided tour. However, you should bring sturdy shoes and warm clothing, as the temperature underground is 8° Celsius. Another moderately difficult excursion offered by the museum is the guided tour to the Upper and Lower Eichelberg Watercourses, which used to supply the mines with driving water.

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Visitor parking