Adventures in the old Silvermine

You are looking for a special kind of experience, which unites romantic atmosphere, (rusticality), education and naturalness ? Than you are right here ! We are the nonprofit society Alte Hoffnung Erbstolln e.V.and are looking for the mine Alte Hoffnung Erbstolln since 1978. In more than 180 000 unpaid working hours the members of our society reconstruc- ted parts of the mine, to safe it for more expiration, in their freetime. With your admission fee you help us, that we can extend the mine for visitors and preserve the technical objects for the future. Why is that our goal ? First in the 13th century the mining was starting here. Some short workingperiods followed. From 1831 till 1885 the mining was in full bloom and could feed 300 Knappen. Here some interesting, technical solutions for the waterremoval had their first practical using. Of course the still standing aufschlagwassertechnische plant with its Röschen- system is unique. Also there are more interesting objects of the older workingperiods with geschlägelten Stolln und Abbauen in the area of the mine. We want to go with you on a special trip through the mine on the traditional way. You go, with helmet, safing clothe and an original miners light, down into the mine to the former mechintechnical center of the mine. You must be able to climb over Fahrten (ladders), because you want to do it same as the old miners, dont you? You see impres- sive rooms and their installed stabilisators in good conditions, find real romantic on a boattrip into the mountain.For people, who have more special interrest in our mine and our work we have extensive literature and also different minerals and souvenirs. For your stay in the miningarea after the guided tour we can recom- mend you restaurants, walking trails or other, nearly excoursion desti- nations. Above all walking trips throug the romantical Mittleres Zscho- pautal(Middle Zschopau-Valley) are very recommendable, there you can see more objects of the mining history. Our society is organizing special events like walking trips at daylight, guided tours at night or a christmas concert under the earth, as well. Please ask for the dates very early, because we have only a limited number of tickets for this events. 1843 the first turbin, working under the earth, in the mining area of Freiberg was used to move the pumps at Alte Hoffnung Erbstolln: The Kreiselradgezeug The first turbin for moving pumps in a shaft, working under the earth, was constructed by Braunsdorf & Brendel in 1839 like the father of the turbin, Benoit Fourneyron (1802-1867), did it . Look at the drawing of the Germany-Site “Historische Technik”. With the help of the entrace money, money and object donations and the regional administration we were able to rebuild this historical machine in the original size and at the old place. A visit to this place is part of the guided tour. We need your help in different ways to recon- struct the whole mine.

You need old clothes, dont come with white clothes. Use our pro- tection-clothes. The temperature is around 8-11°C, the whole year. More advices you can get from the notices in the main building Our standardroute (Visitors from 6-75 years): A tour of the newly-built Rollschachtkaue (Rollingshaftbuilding) with Scheidebank and rollingshaft.The drive-in you will do by boat and you will come out at the Eisenbahnstolln;you have to be able to climb 5 ladders; under the earth you can sit down in the socalled Steigerstube. You visit the turbin rooms with the Schützerstolln,and also you will see remains of the old pumping systems,the iron pump from 1871, pumps, made by wood, from the Kreiselradgezeug from 1843.And at last you will see the reconstructed Kunstwinkel with pumping pole systems. From our mainbuilding over the mainshaft you have to walk down the mountain to the river Zschopau ca.300 meters.Getting the equipment, the visit itsself and giving back the equipment together will take 1,5 till 2 hours. For tours with entrace and exit only by boat you have to ask before, than we can organize this for you. Admission fees for the standard route: Children till 14 years: 6,00 € Adults: 9,50 €