Twitter
Facebook
In the Palatinate, the mining tradition is very old because a large variety of natural resources were found here. In some areas, there is even evidence of mining activities dating back to the time of the Celts.
The small town of Imsbach, located in the foothills of the Donnersberg, used to be a mining town. Even today, visitors can see traces of the early mining activities and travel back through time by exploring the two mines, “Weiße Grube,” or white mine, and “Maria.”
The Historic Museum of Mining in the Palatinate does not only display an extensive collection of beautiful minerals but also other natural resources that were found in the region.
Until the end of October, the museum will host a temporary exhibition of agates found in the Karrenberg quarry near Reichweiler.
Apart from these exhibitions, events and regular guided tours, the Mining World of Imsbach will offer guided tours in English for the first time this season.
Officials hope to accommodate American community members with these special tours through the Weiße Grube that will be offered from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Tickets are €4 for adults and €2 for children and include the guided tour as well as
admittance to the mining museum. Reservations are not required.
This year’s season will close at the end of October. Opening hours of the museum are 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays and German holidays, with regular guided tours in German. Groups of at least 15 can make reservations for guided tours during weekdays.
There are also three historic hiking routes that run through the forests of Imsbach. Numerous signs alongside the paths explain the town’s mining history.
These routes can be explored year-round and during guided tours that are offered on special dates.
For more information, call the Winnweiler Tourist Information Office at 06302-602-61, e-mail info@winnweiler-vg.de, or go online and visit www.
bergbauerlebniswelt-imsbach.de.
(Courtesy of the Winnweiler Tourist Office)
