Mine of Rammelsberg - Mines of Rammelsberg, Historic Town of Goslar and Upper Harz Water Management System
Goslar, Germany
21.06.2018
The Rammelsberg Ore Mine - A UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Rammelsberg Ore Mine, located in the town of Goslar in Germany, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has played a significant role in the region's history and development. The mine, which was in operation for over 1000 years, was the largest source of lead ore in Europe and played a crucial role in the production of silver and other metals.
The history of the Rammelsberg Ore Mine dates back to the 10th century when the first mining activities began in the area. It was initially owned by the local Benedictine monastery, but in the 12th century, it came under the control of the Duke of Saxony. Under his rule, the mine became an important source of revenue for the region, and the town of Goslar flourished as a result.
In the 16th century, the mine was taken over by the Kings of Hanover, who modernized and expanded its operations. This led to an increase in production, and the mine became one of the most important sources of lead and silver in Europe. The advancements in technology and mining techniques also led to the development of the town of Goslar, which became a center for mining expertise and trade.
The Rammelsberg Ore Mine continued to operate until 1988 when it was finally shut down. However, its importance and historical significance were recognized, and in 1992, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, visitors can explore the mine and learn about its history and the lives of the miners who worked there. The underground tours take visitors through the labyrinth of tunnels and chambers, giving them a glimpse into the mining techniques and tools used throughout the centuries.
One of the most impressive features of the Rammelsberg Ore Mine is the water management system, which was used to drain the mine and power the machinery. The system, which dates back to the 16th century, is considered a masterpiece of engineering and is still in use today.
Visitors can also explore the town of Goslar, which has retained its medieval charm and is filled with historic buildings, including the Imperial Palace, the Town Hall, and the Market Church. The town is also home to the Museum of the Rammelsberg Ore Mine, where visitors can see artifacts and displays related to the mine's history.
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The Upper Harz mining water management system, which lies south of the Rammelsberg mines and the town of Goslar, has been developed over a period of some 800 years to assist in the process of extracting ore for the production of non-ferrous metals. Its construction was first undertaken in the Middle Ages by Cistercian monks, and it was then developed on a vast scale from the end of the 16th century until the 19th century. It is made up of an extremely complex but perfectly coherent system of artificial ponds, small channels, tunnels and underground drains. It enabled the development of water power for use in mining and metallurgical processes. It is a major site for mining innovation in the western world.
The Rammelsberg is a mountain, 635 metres (2,083 ft) high, on the northern edge of the Harz range, south of the historic town of Goslar in the North German state of Lower Saxony. The mountain is the location of an important silver, copper, and lead mine. When it closed in 1988, it had been the only mine still working continuously for over 1,000 years. Because of its long history of mining and testimony to the advancement and exchange of technology over many centuries, the visitor mine of Rammelsberg was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.
Goslar (German pronunciation: [ˈɡɔslaʁ]; Eastphalian: Goslär) is a historic town in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is the administrative centre of the district of Goslar and is located on the northwestern slopes of the Harz mountain range. The Old Town of Goslar with over 1.500 timber houses and the Mines of Rammelsberg are UNESCO World Heritage Sites for their millennium-long testimony to the history of ore mining and their political importance for the Holy Roman Empire and Hanseatic League. Each year Goslar awards the Kaiserring to an international artist, called the "Nobel Prize" of the art world.
