Mining in the 16ᵉ century – Tellurium mine

Get ready for an exceptional adventure in Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, Haut-Rhin, at the heart of the largest underground cave in the Vosges. The immersive « 16th century » tour of the Tellure silver mine takes you on a unique journey, combining light caving and historical discovery, to retrace the history of four centuries of mining.

As soon as you arrive, you’ll be equipped like a real miner: full wetsuit, boots and helmet with headlamp. Guided by an enthusiastic professional, you set off on a minimum 1h30 guided tour through a spectacular underground network, dug by hand between the 16th and 20th centuries. The 800-meter-long route takes you through several emblematic galleries, some of them narrow and untouched, rarely accessible to the public. Natural lighting is almost non-existent, enhancing the realism of this timeless exploration.

Your guide explains the techniques used to extract the ore, the tools used, the miners’ extreme working conditions and the evolution of the galleries through the ages. You literally walk in the footsteps of these men who shaped the mountain by sheer force of arms, in an impressive environment of silence, humidity and raw rock.

After this underground experience, the tour continues with an hour-long audio tour of the Tellure museum area. You’ll discover 19 exhibition stations, accompanied by 9 interactive, animated and sound-enhanced « Boxes to See », from 3 to 5 meters wide.

Book your visit now and enjoy a unique underground experience, combining heritage, sensations and discoveries!