Alsdorf and Merkstein excursion: 'In search of traces of mining'

On Saturday, October 4, 2025, we will visit the German mining areas in the Aachen region, to Alsdorf and Merkstein. Coal seams deep underground do not care about national borders. Mining is international, including in a long strip from the "Aachener Revier" through both mining regions in southern Limburg to Belgian Limburg. The use of coal was already known to the Celts and Romans. In the Aachen coal basin, coal was mined continuously from the Middle Ages until 1997. As early as 1394, the "Koylberg zu Eschwylre" (coal mine in Eschweiler) was mentioned. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, ingenious water pumps and elevators were built with the help of water power with which coal could be mined at a depth of tens of meters. In addition to coal, lignite was and is also mined on a large scale and, to a slightly lesser extent, lead, cadmium, iron and zinc.

The huge boom in mining occurred as a result of the Industrial Revolution. The steam engine made exploitation of the deeper coal deposits possible. Starting in 1841, the Aachen region was connected to the railroad network and thus to the world economy. Mining then became decisive for this region. More than half a century later, large-scale mining followed in South Limburg. The German terms "Glück Auf!" and "Kumpel" were simply adopted; but so was the internationalization of the mining workforce. Many Polish miners who eventually ended up in Kerkrade or Heerlen had already gained experience in Germany and spoke a "Steenkolen-German" akin to the Limburg flat. Mining meant employment and purchasing power, but also health problems and catastrophes. In 1930, at Grube Anna in Alsdorf, 271 miners died in an underground mine gas explosion.

After the closure of the coal mines, the region had to reinvent itself, but the memory of mining life is alive and well. The Monuments Section, Kring Parkstad and Kring De Westelijke Mijnstreek of the LGOG cordially invite anyone interested in our mining past and our miners and their descendants to join us on October 4.

Program Saturday, October 4
9.00 a.m. - departure in Geleen from the parking lot located on the side road of the Jos Kleynenlaan: from the Rijksweg immediately after the gas station turn right into the access road; after 100 meters is the large parking lot
9.30 a.m. - departure in Heerlen: parking lot corner Heerlerbaan and Dr. Meulemanstraat
10 a.m. - arrival at mining museum Energeticon on the grounds of former Grube Anna, with "Kaffee und Kuchen"
10:30 a.m. - Steigerführung through the complex, including through a reconstructed underground passageway. Some mining rituals are convincingly explained. Guided tour in three groups, two German-speaking and one Dutch-speaking.
12.00 p.m. - simple lunch at the Eduard restaurant at the complex. Enthusiasts can explore and take photos themselves.
1:30 p.m. - on foot (800 meters) or by bus (you choose) via the Weg der Energie to the "Fördergerüst am Hauptschacht" (shaft building complex) of Grube Anna. A guide will accompany both the hikers and the bus for explanations along the way.
3 p.m. - bus leaves for the smaller-scale Grube Adolf in nearby Merkstein. Along the way, explanation of the influence of mining on the region.
3:30 p.m. - reception at Grube Adolf, introduction to some former miners, with coffee and some goodies. You will have ample opportunity to ask questions. For enthusiasts a limited guided tour in small groups.
17.00 - departure bus
17.30 - back in Heerlen; 18.00 back in Geleen

The times mentioned may vary slightly due to circumstances!
For more information about excursion: Martin van der Weerden, mwvdweerden@ziggo.nl 

Sign up
Sign up no later than Sept. 16, 2025. Cost: €28 per person. This low price is made possible by the support of the Municipality of Heerlen as part of '2025 the Year of Heerlen Heritage'. The excursion is also announced at organizations in the field of mining heritage and local history.

You can register for this excursion by timely payment of the cost by bank transfer to IBAN number NL13 INGB 0001 0378 80 t.n.v. LGOG Section Monuments, stating excursion Alsdorf/Merkstein. Please also send an email with name(s) of participants and pick-up place to: info@lgog.nl, mentioning excursion Alsdorf/Merkstein. Please note: cancellation is possible, but you will have to provide your own replacement(s).