The Largest Mining Museum – Bochum

Although you may not think of it as a cultural experience, the German Mining Museum at Bochum is actually one of the most visited museums in the country. It give an extensive insight into the world of mining for mineral resources and shows you the mining process from prehistory up to the current day.

Covering 12,000 square metres, the museum has exhibitions that describe in detail the history and technique of the mining industry. You will learn all about the raw materials that are dug up from the planet earth and how earth sciences were developed.

Large Mining Machines And The Construction Of Mines

Underground mining is the usual type of mining in the region of the Ruhr and there are some huge machines to look at which will help you to understand how the miners managed to go so deep below the earth. There are also exhibits showing surface mining, marine mining and mining through boreholes. There are huge diggers, compactors and borers.

There is also a wealth of information that will explain how ventilation is achieved in the underground mines and how shafts are constructed. At certain times of the year there are special exhibitions which cover specialised mining topics such as the coking industry.

See A Real Mine At The Mining Museum

In addition to the topside exhibitions you can go into a show coal mine which extends to a length of 2.5 kilometres although currently only the first 850 metres are accessible. This mine was built to showcase how an actual mine looked and felt but it was not built for real use. Transporting visitors directly into the world of coal mining, it is a very popular part of the museum.

The tower at the show mine is an original winding tower from a former coal mine at Dortmun-Marten which is now closed. It was rebuilt just as the original looked in 1974.

Guided tours for children are available at the museum and these provide information about the mining industry in a way that children will fully understand. This is one of the most interesting museums in Germany and is well worth a visit.

Where To Stay Near The German Mining Museum

Courtyard by Marriott Bochum Stadtpark

The name of Marriott is synonymous with excellence and the Courtyard by Marriott Bochum Stadtpark is no exception. Tastefully furnished and only one kilometre from the station, the hotel has wonderful views over parkland as well as a fitness and spa area.

The Green Olive Restaurant services a range of Mediterranean dishes and in the summer you are welcome to eat out on the terrace. Located just 560 metres from the German Mining Museum, the Courtyard has everything you could want from accommodation in Bochum.

Mercure Hotel Bochum City

A restaurant that offers International cuisine and a fitness and sauna area are just two of the excellent features at the Mercure Hotel. Rooms are fully equipped and have a flat screen TV, coffee machine and free Wi-Fi.

The Twin Tower Restaurant serves a daily breakfast buffet and at night you can indulge in wonderful dishes from the International menu. Just 1.07 kilometres from the German Mining Museum, the Mercure is also handy for the theatre where you can currently see Starlight Express.

Renaissance Bochum Hotel

The Renaissance Bochum Hotel belong to the Marriott Luxury & Lifestyle Hotel Group. It has 177 modern rooms and all of them have satellite TV and free Wi-Fi. Mattresses are comfortable and back friendly and all the rooms are spacious.

The Renaissance Bochum Sutherland Restaurant serves up a daily breakfast buffet. Try Franklins Piano Bar for superb cocktails and wines and choose from International or German food. The hotel has a fitness area if you are feeling energetic or you can relax in the bar after a day sightseeing at the German Mining Museum which is just 1.14 kilometres away.

How To Get To The German Mining Museum Bochum

By Air

Fly from the UK to Düsseldorf International (DUS). The airport is just under 60 kilometres from the museum and there are regional trains and a good motorway system to take you on to Bochum.

By Train

Depart on the S 83153 from Düsseldorf Flughafen Terminal to Düsseldorf Hbf. Departures are every 20 minutes and journey time is 12 minutes. Change to one of the regional trains to Bochum Hbf. These leave every hour and the time taken for the journey is 35 minutes. From Bochum Hbf it is 760 metres to the museum.

By Road

Take the A52 and then leave it to go on the A40 to Bochum. Look for exit Bo.-Stahlhausen A448. Then take the Kohlenstraße and Alleestraße to Bongardstraße.

Alternatively use the A43 and take the exit at Riemke/Zentrum. Follow the signs to the city centre. After going for 4 kilometres you will see the museum on the left.

Other Attractions Near To The German Mining Museum

A Summer Festival Of Rock And Pop Music

If you are visiting the museum in the summer you may want to go when the Bochum Total in on. This is a large rock and pop music festival and it is free. The festival is on the first Thursday before the start of the summer holidays in North Rhine Westphalia. Many lesser known artists and new bands play there and all of them play totally live.

The Animal And Fossil Park At Bochum

Children and adults love the Tierpark und Fossilium which is an animal park and centre of fossils. This amazing exhibition shows over 4,000 animals from 300 species. The park focuses on animals that live in or around water so you can see penguins, seagulls, pelicans and seals.

The rest of the park has larger animals like big cats and there are also birds of prey with demonstrations of how they dive through the air to get to their food. For the children there is also petting zoo with goats, sheep and rabbits.

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