Exploring Genovevaburg Eifel Museum and the German Slate Mine
Updated: May 12
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Do you remember Slate?
The stuff we once scribbled on with chalk in our school days? Do you know its crown jewel role? Roofing! Surprised? For eons, folks in the Eifel region have been savvy enough to exploit Mosel slate's knack for turning into slim, sleek tiles, making it a top pick for roofs since time out of mind. Mined near Mayen and Trier, this prized slate has been making waves (and roofs) along the Mosel since the days of togas and sandals.
And when we visited Mayen, we realised that the one thing that sets Mayen apart from the other cities in Europe is the roofing of its houses! Among the cities and regions in Germany, the Eifel region, particularly the Mayen-Koblenz District, is renowned for having the highest concentration of slate roofing. As you explore Mayen, you'll notice the distinctive dark, shiny roofs that have protected houses for over 2,000 years. During medieval times, slate found its place on church roofs and prestigious structures, while in the baroque period, Mosel slate became the ideal choice for crafting stylish curved roofing designs.In fact, when we were exploring the city centre, a few of the buildings were also designed with slate on its outer facade. When we visited the thermal bath in Mayen, even the flooring inside the bath area was made of slate tiles! This widespread use of slate begs this question:
What is the significance of slate in Mayen?
Mayen, a hub for slate, is known worldwide for its slate mining process and slate is exported globally from Mayen. Sllate is extracted, pure slate is created, making it a sought-after and environmentally-friendly product today. Impressive right? Mayen, a city in central Germany is rich in natural resources and has a long history of slate mining. The city's abundance of high-quality slate deposits has made it a major player in the global slate industry. The slate mining process in Mayen is renowned for its efficiency and precision, resulting in top-notch slate products that are highly sought after worldwide. The city's slate industry has created job opportunities for its residents but has also contributed to the overall prosperity of the region. Achieving technically flawless slate roofs requires specialized training as a roofer, and Mayen plays a central role in Germany's roofing education through its federal training program.
Day Trip to Mayen
We opted for a day trip to Mayen with the intention of delving into the art of slate mining and taking in the city's sights. Initially, I wasn't exactly thrilled about the idea of spending our holiday in a slate mining museum. It just didn't strike me as a typical vacation destination. But then, picture this: 400 million years ago, the Devonian sea covered the very spot where today, beneath Genoveva Castle, the labyrinthine passages of the slate mine extend 16 meters underground. You can literally tread the ancient paths of this submerged world, like a time traveler uncovering the hidden tales of a bygone sea beneath the grandeur of a castle. Quite mysterious and enchanting, right? So, we decided to give it a shot and make a quick visit to see what all the excitement was about. We figured that even if the museum didn't pique our interest, we could always explore the captivating medieval heart of Mayen, which was just a stone's throw away. But we never got to the latter, you'll know soon why :)
How to reach Mayen?
By Air: Mayen is a town located in the Rhineland-Palatinate region of Germany. While the closest international airport is Frankfurt ((Flughafen Frankfurt am Main)), if you’re travelling from within EU, then the closest airport to Mayen is in Cologne or Bonn.
By Train: Once you reach Frankfurt or Bonn or Cologne, then you can opt for a train journey. Mayen does not have its own train station, so you will need to go to Andernach, which is a nearby town. A train from Frankfurt to Andernach (approximately 2.5 hours), a train from Cologne Hauptbahnhof (Cologne Central Station) to Andernach (approximately 1.5 hours) or a train from Bonn to Andernach (approximately 1 hour). From Andernach, you can take a regional train to Mayen (approximately 20 to 30 minutes).
By Bus: Bus operators such as FlixBus or other regional bus transport providers depart from Cologne/Bonn/Koblenz to Mayen.
By Car: Take the motorway A61 and follow the signs to Mayen, and this will lead you to the town.
About ‘Genovevaburg - Eifel Museum, and German slate mine Museum’
With our children accompanying us and managing our expectations, we finally embarked on our visit to the highly anticipated slate mining museum called Genovevaburg - Eifel Museum, and German slate mine. The museum has three exhibitions - EifelTotal, German Slate Mine and Adventure worlds Grubenfeld. The EifelTotal and the German slate mine (Deutsches Schieferbergwerk) are housed within the Genovevaburg castle. The Adventure worlds Grubenfeld is a 25 minutes walk from the Genovevaburg castle.
Note: Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed : Fridays ; Except on public holidays.
You can decide whether to explore all the 3 exhibitions on the same day or another day, depending on your available time. Exploring both EifelTotal and the German slate mine (Deutsches Schieferbergwerk) typically requires a solid 3 to 4 hours. On average, visitors spend approximately 2 to 3 hours exploring the Adventure Worlds Grubenfeld.
Genovevaburg Castle
The Genovevaburg castle is a well-preserved medieval castle with a rich past and interestingly features slate roofing too! This preserved Romanesque and Gothic-styled historic building was once integral to the functioning slate mines. Back in the day, skilled miners found water hidden in the rocks under the castle. This water was a necessity for the people who lived in the castle, because they didn't have taps like we do today and thus they dug a deep hole into the rocky ground. But wait, there's more! Many years later, during a big war in 1944, they turned this water well into something else. They built a secret tunnel under the castle to keep people safe during air raids. And guess what? They connected this tunnel to the old water well, so it could bring fresh air to the people hiding underground while the war raged on. Now, in modern times, that same well has a new job. It helps bring fresh air to the German slate mine. It's like this well has had quite the career change over the years!
Note: The castle is located atop a hill and therefore, for people with age-related mobility disorders or who have difficulty walking due to other conditions, the ascend might feel steep. On average, you can expect to walk approximately 5 to 10 minutes uphill from the closest parking lots to reach Genovevaburg castle. Once atop, the castle offers panoramic views of Mayen and the picturesque Eifel landscape.
Continuing my visit to the Museum….
At the reception, we were greeted by a friendly German lady who kindly provided us with our tickets. With a single ticket, you can receive entry into 3 exhibitions. We purchased our tickets only to 2 museum facilities - The EifelTotal and the German Slate Mine. She also provided us the English brochures and audio guides for the kids, which happened to be in Dutch (The audio guides didn’t have the option of English language but it wasn’t a problem because my kids converse in Dutch). Understanding the adults’ language barrier, she explained how to access the English audio guide on our smartphones. Elevator services are available for senior citizens and children, ensuring easy access to the museum. For those who are more physically capable, there is a staircase that leads visitors through the museum. If requested prior hand, wheelchairs are also provided. Once equipped, we were guided to the ground floor, which was our first stop on the museum tour.
Entrance fees:
To 1 museum facility - Adult: €6, Children, students, disabled, seniors (60+), volunteers €3.5.
To 2 museum facilities - Adult: €9, Children, students, disabled, seniors (60+), volunteers €5.
To 3 museum facilities - Adult: €12, Children, students, disabled, seniors (60+), volunteers €6.4.
Children under 1 meter tall FREE.
For Groups from 20 people, please check the prices on the website - https://www.mayen.de/kultur-tourismus/tourismus/eifelmuseum/
You can acquire vouchers for the Erlebniswelten Grubenfeld by sending an email to erlebniswelten-grubenfeld@mayenzeit.de. For the other two institutions, you can also easily request vouchers by sending an email to museumskasse@mayenzeit.de and paying via bank transfer.
1. EifelTotal
We started at level 0 (ground floor) with a simple introduction to the Eifel. The EifelTotal includes the Geological History and the Eifel Legends. The Geological History showcases the geology and history of region where you can explore the Earth's formation through interactive displays. These interactive displays illustrated the three stages of earth formation: water, desert, and fire. The Eifel Legends include the galleries of the Eifel region where you can discover the rich folklore and stories of the Eifel region. First, we found out how far the Eifel extended, what it smelled like, what sounds we could hear there, and if we knew anyone famous who hailed from the Eifel.
Note: Although the literature accompanying the displays was in German, we found Google Translate to be a helpful tool. However, the audio guides provided were incredibly informative and descriptive, eliminating the need for translation.
Interesting points of discovery:
Billions of years of geological transformations, from a fiery celestial body to today's Earth, have shaped the Eifel region. Within the castle's walls, you can trace this rich history marked by earthquakes, eruptions, and shifting continents.
Around 420 million years ago, the Eifel lay south of the equator, a muddy sea floor teeming with ancient life.
Then, about 245 million years ago, during the Triassic period, continents shifted, and the future Eifel region was part of what is now North Africa. Over eons, sand turned into the iconic red and Eifel-colored sandstone.
The Eifel also boasts a volcanic past, with the last eruption 13,500 years ago, leaving the Maria Lach crater lake as a proof to this explosive history.
Note: All of the above points of discovery can be viewed through yellow viewfinders placed in the museum. They provide visitors with a closer and more detailed look at specific exhibits or objects. When you look through these viewfinders, you can expect to see magnified images or information related to the exhibit.
2. German Slate Mine
After thoroughly exploring each exhibit, we were directed to descend the stairs to the level of the mine. The "Slate Mine" section is typically located underground which is basically a subterranean mine with different galleries and levels inside the mountain where slate has been extracted for centuries. Upon entering, we were greeted by a room adorned with an array of helmets and jacket displayed on stands and hangers - the miners changing room. As a safety precaution and to protect against any potential moisture inside the chilly interiors, visitors are advised to don helmets and jackets provided by the museum. Donning jackets and helmets in the slate mine adds an authentic touch to the experience, allowing you to better understand the conditions miners worked in. Here you will also find some original modern miners equipment, a self rescue device and a lamp. Once properly equipped, we ventured into the cave, where the darkness was cleverly contrasted with strategic illumination, highlighting the intricate details that demanded our attention and showcasing the captivating displays.
Note: Within the 340-meter-long tunnel labyrinth of the slate mine, they're all about that hands-on experience – touch away! This immersive approach turns the slate mine into a sensory wonderland, where adventure meets all your senses head-on.
Interesting points of discovery:
In the Slate room, we were granted a license to get handsy with the slate. We seized the chance to run our fingers over its flat, slaty physique, scrutinizing the rock's material and structure. But let me tell you, those top-tier slate specimens, rare gems of the central German uplands, they're the real showstoppers, and they come with a style all their own.
Imagine taking an elevator, like a big cage, that goes deep underground to where they find really good roof slate. Thats the pit cage in the tunnel that you’ll see. They dig tunnels into the rock to get to this special slate.
There is a display of tool used by miners. A long time ago, they used hammers and mallets, but now they use powerful machines like compressed air drill hammers and even explosives. The tunnels house rope saws and huge walking excavators. It's like a speedy train into the heart of the mine! Now, who doesn't love a little pneumatic power?
If you're looking for extra thrills, don't miss the simulated lorry ride – a journey through the tunnel that's sure to delight both young and young-at-heart adventurers.
Pray to St. Barbara - Miners have always had a knack for digging up danger, which is why they've long relied on their guardian angel, St. Barbara, to keep them safe and sound below the Earth's surface.
Within the exhibition, you'll find a dedicated section focusing on World War II. In those wartime days, the slate tunnel had a vital role as a shelter for civilians during air raids.
3. Adventure worlds Grubenfeld
We did not explore this exhibition, as we were short of time (we had already consumed 3 hours in the mine and EifelTotal exhibitions), however I can throw some light on this exhibition. The third section of the museum showcases the geological formation of the Eifel region. Over 7,000 years ago, in a place called the Eastern Eifel, people started finding something special in the rocks that came from volcanoes. These special rocks were very valuable, and they became important in history. The people who searched for these rocks made a strange and exciting place where they dug for them. This place is now called the Mayen mining field. I recommend you visit Grubenfeld if you have time as this exhibition focuses on the history of mining in the Eifel region in an engaging way.
After concluding our tour, we refreshed ourselves in the restroom facilities and returned our audio guides. We then discussed the captivating exhibits of the museum and the slate mine over cups of steaming hot coffee and hot chocolate available at the reception area.
Closing Thoughts
And with this, I conclude my exciting visit to the Genovevaburg - Eifel Museum, and German slate mine. Do you know what was the highlight of our day trip? We were returning home after learning something new - It was a day filled with exploration, education, and adventure. Who would have thought that a slate mine could bring such excitement to our holiday?
If you found my blog post enjoyable, consider giving it a thumbs-up and subscribing for future updates. Don't hesitate to share it with your friends and family as well. If you have any questions or seek more insights about this captivating city or any other adventure-related topics, feel free to reach out. Wishing you safe and exhilarating escapades, akin to the intrigue of Mayen!
Sounds like a fun activity for the kids and adults alike. Thanks for sharing 😊