Silvesterwanderungen am Bergbaumuseum

This year, the Friends of the Mechernich Mining Museum are once again offering their traditional New Year's Eve hike.

For over 2000 years, lead ore was mined in the region around Mechernich. After the Celts and Romans, it was initially local farmers who extracted the nearby surface ore during the winter months and sold it to traveling merchants. Later, independent miners leased small shafts to extract the ore. At that time, there were more than 250 of these independent miner shafts at the Mechernich lead mountain. With the construction of drainage tunnels to lower the groundwater level, industrial ore mining began, peaking in the late 19th century. At that time, around 4500 people were directly employed in Mechernich’s mining industry. For economic reasons, mining operations at the Mechernich lead mountain were ceased on December 31, 1957. Machinery and facilities were dismantled and partially reused at other mining sites. The buildings were demolished and cleared. Today, only a very few remnants of the mining era are directly visible.

The hikes begin at the museum building and participation is free.
Two circular routes are offered at the following times:

Long hike (approx. 11 km):
9:30 AM
10:30 AM

Short hike (approx. 5 km):
10:00 AM
11:00 AM

Appropriate clothing for the weather is required.

Afterward, participants can wind down the hike and the old year at the museum's grill hut with drinks (e.g., mulled wine with and without a shot, punch, etc.) and bratwurst in a roll.

Time: from 9:30 AM
Cost: free
Location: Mechernich, Mechernich Mining Museum, Bleibergstr. 6
Info-Tel.: 02443. 48697