Show Mines in the Black Forest
Photo: Visitors in the mine 'Segen Gottes'
Key Facts
- An overview of historic mines in the Black Forest that are open to the public
- Silver was frequently mined in the Black Forest, along with iron ore, copper, lead, cobalt, and various other metals
- There is only one active mine left in the Black Forest: the Grube Clara in Oberwolfach, where fluorspar (fluorite) and heavy spar (barite) are still extracted today
Mining in the Black Forest flourished primarily during the Middle Ages and the early modern period. The extraction of resources such as silver, lead, copper, and—later—iron shaped the economic development of entire regions and provided employment and income for many people. Mining revenues contributed to the prosperity of towns, monasteries, and territorial rulers, enabling, among other things, the construction and furnishing of impressive buildings; for instance, silver mining at Schauinsland played a significant role in financing the construction of the Freiburg Minster.
From the 18th and 19th centuries onwards, ore mining in the Black Forest increasingly declined in importance due to the depletion of many deposits, growing competition from other mining regions, and shifts within the metal industry.
Map: Mines open to the public in the Black Forest
Mines open to the public
- Mine 'Frischglück' in Neuenbürg
- Mine 'Hella Glück' in Neubulach
- Mine 'Himmlisch Heer' in Dornstetten- Hallwangen
- Visitor's mine in Freudenstadt
- Mine Wenzel in Oberwolfach
- Show Mine Segen Gottes in Haslach
- Museum mine Schauinsland near Freiburg
- Mine 'Finstergrund' in Wieden
- Mine 'Teufelsgrund' in Münstertal
- Hoffnungsstollen Show Mine in Todtmoos