Menuebild
Menü

The Ottiliae Shaft in Clausthal-Zellerfeld –

visit Europe's oldest iron head frame

 
From 1878 to 1930 the Ottiliae Shaft was the central hoisting shaft for silver, lead and zinc ore in Clausthal-Zellerfeld. The iron head frame from 1876 is the oldest remaining example of its type in Europe. In order to create further electrical energy using the Upper Harz Water Management System, a cavern power station was installed 365 metres underground in the Ernst August Gallery. Until 1980 its turbines produced electric power for the PREUSSAG works in Bad Grund, Oker and at the Rammelsberg. Since 1985 the historic monument Ottiliae Shaft has been part of the Upper Harz Mining Museum, including the mining railway on the surface, which was reconstructed until 1993.

The Ottiliae Shaft is an external location of the Upper Harz Mining Museum.

Learn more about ore mining in Clausthal at the Ottiliae Shaft.

Learn more about ore mining in Clausthal at the Ottiliae Shaft.

© Stefan Sobotta

Go walking at the Ottiliae Shaft in Clausthal-Zellerfeld …

Go walking at the Ottiliae Shaft in Clausthal-Zellerfeld …

© Stefan Sobotta

… or enjoy a ride on the historic mining railway to the Ottiliae Shaft.

… or enjoy a ride on the historic mining railway to the Ottiliae Shaft.

© Stefan Sobotta

A highlight of industrial archaeology: the iron head frame from 1876 is the oldest of its type that still survives in Europe.

A highlight of industrial archaeology: the iron head frame from 1876 is the oldest of its type that still survives in Europe.

© Stefan Sobotta

Travel with the historic mining railway to the Ottiliae Shaft.

Follow the former path of the ore and embark on an adventurous journey along the faithfully recreated route through the picturesque Upper Harz landscape to the remains of what was once the most modern ore processing plant in the world and today's UNESCO World Heritage Monument, the Ottiliae Shaft. Once there, an impressive tour awaits you through the remains of the once mighty facilities, with the highlight being the mining machine demonstration.

Departure: Station "Alter Bahnhof" at the ZOB, Bahnhofstraße, Clausthal-Zellerfeld
May - August: Sundays and public holidays 11:00 and 14.30
September - October: Sundays and public holidays 11:00 and 14:30

OVERVIEW MAP

CONTACT

Oberharzer Bergwerksmuseum
Bornhardtstr. 16
38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld
Tel. +49 5323-98950
info@bergwerksmuseum.de
www.bergwerksmuseum.de

 

LOCATION

Am Ottiliaeschacht
38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld

World Heritage in the Harz

Cultural diversity amid breathtaking landscapes: the UNESCO World Heritage in the Harz

At the World Heritage Site Mines of Rammelsberg, Historic Town of Goslar and Upper Harz Water Management System a wide range of museums and monuments await your visit. Discover this treasure of human history.

On the Move

Your personal tour through the World Heritage

Hiking or cycling, motorized or guided tours – there are many ways to explore the UNESCO World Heritage in the Harz. Be inspired by the wide range of offers.

Themes

Architecture & settlements, mining, changing landscapes, energy production

The interactions between people and ore have left many traces in the cultural landscape of the Harz. These can be divided among the four main themes that characterize the UNESCO World Heritage in the Harz.

Recommendation

Today in the Middle Ages

Visit the oldest part of the UNESCO World Heritage in the Harz at the Cistercian Museum Walkenried Monastery. With its sensual and creative design within the Gothic monastery complex, it brings the Middle Ages to life.

Downloads

Go on a journey of discovery by reading your way through the UNESCO World Heritage in the Harz

On 64 pages, the brochure will give you an overview of everything the UNESCO World Heritage in the Harz has to offer. Enjoy browsing through it!

Highlight

Starting point for the original locations

The Information Centres of the World Heritage Site Mines of Rammelsberg, Historic Town of Goslar and Upper Harz Water Management System inform you in fascinating exhibitions about the UNESCO World Heritage in the Harz and what it offers for tourists.

Image UNESCO