German Mining Museum
Bochum, Germany
One of the largest mining museums in the world, with a show mine under the building and a green headframe you can ride up for the view. Plan at least three hours.
The German Mining Museum in Bochum was founded on 1 April 1930 and is part of the Leibniz Association. By its own account it is the largest mining museum in the world. A reconstructed demonstration mine lies beneath the museum grounds, 2.5 km long in total, of which 1.2 km is open to visitors. On the site stands the 71.4 m high, roughly 650-tonne double-braced headframe of the closed Germania colliery; a lift links the demonstration mine, the viewing platform and the museum. The exhibition area covers around 8,000 m².
Allow plenty of time for the mine, the headframe and the exhibitions; the sources we read give no recommended length of visit. We have no verified information on parking or getting there, so check the route in your satnav or on the museum's website before you set out.
- Nearest town
- Bochum, Germany
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 51.4892, 7.2173
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Germany: No motorway tolls for cars. No general motorway speed limit (130 km/h advised) and no tolls for cars.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Premium Stellplatz "Glück Auf"Motorhome stopover2 km from German Mining MuseumMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Campingplatz RuhrbrückeCampsite10 km from German Mining MuseumTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Revierpark NienhausenMotorhome stopover11 km from German Mining Museum · 22 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Freizeitdomizil RuhrtalCampsite12 km from German Mining MuseumTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Campingpark BaldeneyseeCampsite15 km from German Mining MuseumTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Campingplatz TögemannsfeldCampsite19 km from German Mining MuseumTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
All campsites in Germany · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is German Mining Museum?
German Mining Museum is in Bochum, Germany, at GPS 51.4892, 7.2173. It is about 15 km from Essen.
Can you camp near German Mining Museum?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Premium Stellplatz "Glück Auf", about 2 km away; within 25 km there are 60 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass German Mining Museum?
German Mining Museum is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: The Ruhr: blast furnaces, gas holders and coal mines.
What is there to see near German Mining Museum?
Places worth a stop nearby: Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex (12 km), Henrichenburg Boat Lift (16 km), Gasometer Oberhausen (24 km) and Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord (30 km).
When is the best time to visit German Mining Museum?
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)