Rammelsberg

Rammelsberg is a mountain, 635 metres 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.

The mining history of the Rammelsberg occurred as a continuous process in different phases. Initially the main product was copper ore, then, much later lead, and with lead, silver.

The analysis of written sources and archaeological finds of unsmelted pieces of ore and slag indicates that the earliest mining activity at the Rammelsberg occurred in the late 7th century AD. Anglo-Saxon burial objects made of Harz ore were also excavated in England.

Mining on the Rammelsberg was first mentioned in the records around 968 by the Saxon chronicler, Widukind of Corvey. 

Today World Heritage Site protects many artifacts from the medieval era of mining operations at the mountain, including remains and buildings from the 10th century until 20th century.

Address
Bergtal 19, Goslar, Germany

Established
10th century AD