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.
© Stefan Sobotta
Go walking at the Ottiliae Shaft in Clausthal-Zellerfeld …
© Stefan Sobotta
… 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.
© 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
- On Sundays and public holidays between May 1st and the end of October there are two scheduled trips with a guided tour of the Ottiliaeschacht: 11:00 am and 2:30 pm from Clausthal-Zellerfeld station,
- Extra trips can be arranged by calling the Upper Harz Mining Museum on 05323 98950
CONTACT
Oberharzer Bergwerksmuseum
Bornhardtstr. 16
38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld
Tel. +49 5323-98950
info@bergwerksmuseum.de
www.bergwerksmuseum.de
LOCATION
Am Ottiliaeschacht
38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld
