The Nachtigall Coal Mine in Witten reached its heyday around 1850 as one of the first underground mines in the region. The Industrial Museum’s exhibition shows just how arduous the journey into the depths was. The highlight of the visit is a guided tour through the Nachtigall Tunnel. Equipped with helmets, visitors enter the low-ceilinged tunnels of this visitor mine at ground level and make their way to a real coal seam. In front of the entrance, a faithfully reconstructed shaft complex illustrates small-scale mining in the Ruhr Valley after 1945. Aboard a full-scale wooden sailing ship, the Ruhrnachen, the history of shipbuilding and coal shipping on the Ruhr comes to life. The later use of the coal mine, which was shut down in 1892, is the focus of the exhibition held beneath the vaulted ceiling of a brick kiln in the former Dünkelberg brickworks. The Nachtigall Coal Mine Industrial Museum is an ideal starting point for hikes through the Muttental valley—one of the earliest examples of near-surface coal mining in the Ruhr region—with its signposted mining trail.
This accommodation is certified!
LWL-Museum, Annette Hudemann, The Nachtigall Coal Mine is located at the entrance to the idyllic Muttental valley in Witten LWL-Museum, Annette Hudemann, It was once what made coal mining possible: the steam engine at the Nachtigall coal mine, which still runs regularly LWL-Museum, Annette Hudemann, The "Hauerschicht" leads directly to the underground coal seam LWL-Museum, Annette Hudemann, Mine lamps were once the miners' constant companions underground
Important information about accessibility: certificates
- "Reisen für Alle" (“Travel for All”) is a nationwide, uniform labeling system for barrier-free travel. It offers reliable information on the accessibility of tourist offerings, such as hotels, attractions and means of transport. Providers who allow themselves to be labeled are checked for accessibility by specially trained surveyors. The results are published in detailed test reports so that travelers with disabilities know exactly which offers are suitable for their needs.
Verified information We have compiled some information on accessibility below. Detailed information can be found in the inspection report.
- A parking space for people with disabilities is available.
- Almost all rooms and facilities accessible to guests are step-free/at ground level or accessible via a ramp.
- Outdoor pathways have a maximum longitudinal slope of 20%.
- Ramps have a maximum longitudinal slope of 12%.
- All doors and passageways accessible to guests are at least 70 cm wide. Outdoor pathways are at least 145 cm wide.
- Exhibits and information are primarily viewable while seated.
- The service counter/ticket counter is 85 cm high at its lowest point.
- Seating is available.
- The following are accessible without steps:
the machine house, including the ticket office/shop and the GeoPark Ruhrgebiet Information Center (except for the upper floor): via a ramp with a 12% slope leading to the entrance, which is difficult to navigate on foot or by vehicle;
the workshop building, including restrooms for people with disabilities: via a 60-meter-long ramp path with a 6% slope leading to the side entrance, which is difficult to navigate on foot or by vehicle;
the Eimerweise Coal Mine;
the exhibitions in the ring kilns;
the visitor mine: tunnels accessible at ground level (via rails); the lamp room is accessible without steps via the grounds of the Eimerweise Coal Mine (150-meter detour);
the sandstone quarry: accessible via a path with a 20% incline;
the playground. - The upper floor of the machine house (conveyor machine) and the level with the ring kilns are accessible exclusively via stairs.
- There is a public restroom for people with disabilities, which is accessible by vehicle from one side (at least 80 cm). There are fold-down grab bars to the left and right of the restroom.
- Guided tours are offered for people with mobility impairments and wheelchair users. Advance registration is required.
- Mobile or fixed seating is available for people with mobility impairments and can be used during the guided tour.
Detailed information for people with walking difficulties and wheelchair users We have compiled some information on accessibility below. Detailed information can be found in the audit report at the end of this text.
- There is no induction loop system available.
- In the event of an audible alarm (e.g., a fire alarm), there is no clearly visible flashing or strobe signal.
- Information about the exhibits is primarily provided in writing and, in some cases, audibly or through videos.
- Guided tours are offered for people with hearing impairments and deaf people (in sign language). Advance registration is required.
Detailed information for people with hearing impairments and hearing loss We have compiled some information on accessibility below. Detailed information can be found in the audit report at the end of this text.
- Service dogs are welcome.
- Signage (for wayfinding) is designed with clearly legible, high-contrast text.
- All elevated areas accessible to visitors are illuminated with bright, glare-free lighting. Exceptions include the ring kilns, the “Postkutsche” film room, parts of the Eimerweise coal mine, and the mine tunnels.
- Some staircases have handrails.
- Information about the exhibits is presented with high visual contrast.
- Information about the exhibits is sometimes provided audibly.
- Information is not available in Braille or prism script.
- Guided tours are offered for people with visual impairments and blind people. Advance registration is required.
Detailed information for people with visual impairments and the blind We have compiled some information on accessibility below. Detailed information can be found in the inspection report at the end of this text.
- The name of the coal mine is clearly visible from the outside.
- The destinations of the paths are within sight, or path markers are placed at a distance that ensures they are always visible.
- The Nachtigall Coal Mine app is available in easy-to-read language.
- On-site information about the exhibits is primarily provided in written form, and in some cases through audio, visuals, and videos.
- Guided tours are offered for people with cognitive impairments. Advance registration is required.
- The content (e.g., exhibits) of the guided tour for people with cognitive impairments is easy to understand or is explained in an easy-to-understand way (e.g., through images).
Detailed information for people with walking difficulties and wheelchair users
Important information at a glance
Tuesday - Sunday and bank holidays: 10:00 - 18:00
Last admission 5.30 pmClosed on Mondays (except public holidays)
Open todayTuesday 10:00 - 18:00 Wednesday 10:00 - 18:00 Thursday 10:00 - 18:00 Friday 10:00 - 18:00 Saturday 10:00 - 18:00 Sunday 10:00 - 18:00
