Samson Mine

The Samson Mine (Grube Samson) in Sankt Andreasberg is a visitor mine in the Upper Harz mountains of Lower Saxony and home to what is described as the last working man-engine in the world. The former silver mine is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site "Mines of Rammelsberg, Historic Town of Goslar and Upper Harz Water Management System". If you want to see how deep silver mining and water power shaped the Harz, this guided underground tour and mining museum is a strong choice.

Where it is and how to get there

Sankt Andreasberg lies in the Upper Harz and belongs to the town of Braunlage. The mine's website has a separate page with directions, parking and a site map, so check it before you set out, and use a regional journey planner for bus connections. The address is Am Samson 2, 37444 Sankt Andreasberg. Payment is in euros.

What makes it special

Mining probably began around 1521, with the first written mention in 1537. At about 840 meters, the mine was among the deepest in the world during its operation and had 42 levels. Silver output peaked in 1822 at 3,040 kilograms, and the mine closed on March 31, 1910. The man-engine, installed in 1837, carried miners up and down the shaft. It ran on water power until 1922 and is now driven by an electric motor. The mine was added to the World Heritage list in 2010.

What to expect

• A guided tour underground; the mine can only be visited on a tour.
• A mining museum where you can try a simulation of the man-engine and look at models after the tour.
• A canary museum in the Gaipel building, dedicated to the Harzer Roller breed.

The mine does not state whether English-language tours are offered, so ask in advance by phone or email if you need one. Underground the temperature is about 8 °C (46 °F), so wear warm clothing.

Tickets and opening hours (as of October 2026)

• Tours: daily at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. from March 17 to October 31. The mine is closed for operational holidays from November 1 to December 7, then reopens with a reduced winter schedule.
• Admission: adults EUR 10 with a guest card or EUR 12 without, reduced EUR 9, children aged 5 to 15 EUR 6 or EUR 7, younger children free.
• Duration: about 60 minutes for the tour plus 30 minutes for the museum.

Practical tips

Almost all areas of the mine can be visited with limited mobility, according to the operator. Dogs are allowed after prior registration. Tickets go on sale ten minutes before a tour starts at the museum entrance. A second tour in the Catharina Neufang mine runs Monday to Saturday at 1 p.m. and requires good physical fitness.