Discover a 2000 year old Roman mine!

The Roman mine in Meurin near Kretz is the largest Roman underground tuff mine north of the Alps. The several meter thick tuff layer, which has been mined for over 2000 years, is a result of the Laacher See Volcano eruption. A small part – 55 x 45 meters of the old excavation site has been protected by means of a futuristic cantilever construction made of steel, glass and plastic. With its chambers, shafts and stairways, the mine offers you a glimpse into long forgotten underground working environments.

The underground Roman mines are vividly depicted using illuminated pictures and interactive computer animation. You can tour the Roman mine either with an audio guide or book a guided tour.

Visit the Mendig Rock Cellar

Visit the underground rock cellar and the Museumslay. Take a journey into the earth’s interior! A stairway with 150 steps leads you into a hollowed out lava stream, you are entering the largest basalt lava mine in the world. After the tour you will be able to answer questions such as: “What does the lava cellar have to do with beer?” “Why is Mendig one of the largest winter homes for bats in Northwest Europe?”

Our tip: Lunch in the rustical Volcano Brewery

Visit the German Slate Mine in Mayen

In the town centre, at the market place deep in the slate rock under one of Mayens top addresses – the noble Genovevaburg – is a unique tunnel system. Here you descend from the castle into the depths of the slate rock. With a jacket and a helmet, just like a miner. Well equipped, you go on an expedition though the slate tunnels. Here you learn how the slate rose from a flat sea bed over 400 million years ago and how it came to be a part of the Rhine slate hills.

The history of slate is also a cultural history. In the German slate mine you will be shown the development of slate roofing and how it has influenced the appearance of the region.