NATIONAL MUSEUM OF LUXEMBOURG IRON MINES
2024
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This museum highlights the profound impact of the mining industry on Luxembourg, taking visitors behind the scenes of miners' work and into the country's industrial history. An impressive collection of books, documents, tools, machines, rock samples and other objects are on display. The museum also explores the daily lives of miners, their culture, traditions and challenges, both at work and at home. The rest of the site consists of :
The underground mine: the galleries of the "Walert" iron mine, in operation from 1891 to 1963, take visitors to depths of over 70 meters and house machines and tools.
Le carreau de la mine: the former locomotive shed features an exhibition retracing the history of Luxembourg's iron mines. The loading docks and machinery can also be seen here.
The mining train: this special train takes visitors through a 3 km-long mine gallery, where a guide explains the different workings, showing the technical evolution of tools and methods used to extract iron ore.
La Brasserie du Musée: housed in a former mine office building, this establishment serves light meals and Luxembourg specialities.
A number of walks in the surrounding area allow visitors to observe the various stages in the renaturation of an abandoned mine.
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Further information
Opening time and information on NATIONAL MUSEUM OF LUXEMBOURG IRON MINES
The museum is open all year round by reservation for interactive tours (max. 18 children) and groups of between 16 and 31 people. Always consult the www.mnm.lu website, also for booking special tours. For individual visitors, the museum is open (without reservation) in April, May, June and September, from Thursday to Sunday with 3 departures, at 2.30pm, 3.30pm, 4.30pm; in July and August, from Tuesday to Sunday with 3 departures, at 2.30pm, 3.30pm, 4.30pm; from October to March, on the 2nd Sunday of each month at 2.30pm. Prices: €12/adult, €8/student, €6/child. Group rates (16 to 31 people): €11/adult, €7/student, €5.50/child. Groups of less than 16 people: fixed price €120. Train tour only (without guided tour): €7. Interactive tour: €150 (18 children + 2 accompanying adults free). Free museum admission with Luxembourg Card. Wheelchair accessible
Owner's Message
The collections of the National Iron Ore Museum include tools, machines, equipment and archival documents related to the exploitation of iron ore in Luxembourg from the 1870s to 1997. Most of the collection is exhibited in the underground galleries of the Walert mine. Presented in situation, machines and devices, testify of more than one century of technological evolution. Thanks to this spectacular presentation, the visitor really becomes aware of the nature of the miner's work. A selection of objects: lamps, tools, helmets, measuring instruments, photographs, archival documents, is presented in the showcases of the exhibition room, several of which are devoted to minerals and fossils.
The MNM operates a 4-hectare site that has been occupied by several mines, including the Walert mine. Buildings and installations from the 1900s to the 1930s remain, as well as open-pit mine faces. The MNM offers visitors two different types of guided tours:
1) Group visit: a visit to the National Iron Ore Museum is done in groups (max 31 pers. per group) accompanied by a specialized guide. The visit starts with an introduction in the exhibition room, after which visitors receive a headset. Afterwards, the visitors take a seat on a mine train for the access to the mine. The journey takes about 20 minutes. Once inside the mine, the visitors follow a route on foot through the galleries and discover the techniques of ore extraction and the daily life of the underground work. The exit from the mine is by train through the Walert Gallery. The visit to the mine lasts 1 hour and 45 minutes and is intended for the general public. It is suitable for wheelchair users.
2) Interactive visit for children: Our museum has developed an interactive visit for children from 6 to 14 years old. It allows the child to identify with the iron miner. The visit starts with an introduction in the exhibition room, followed by the handing over of a safety helmet. The visit is done on foot and lasts about 1h30. Each child takes on the role of a mine worker: porter, miner, boiler maker, wheelman, cart driver, surveyor, concessionaire... The children are made actors of their visit, drill, break ore, push a wagon and witness explosions. At the end of the visit, the children receive a miner's token, a free entrance ticket and the ore they have extracted from the mine. The visit is for groups of 18 children + 2 adults maximum. The fixed price without train: 130€ per group. There is the possibility to eat at the Brasserie du Musée a children's menu.
The average temperature in the mine is 10° Celsius during the whole year. It is essential to bring warm clothes. Moving around in the galleries is safe. It is recommended to wear sturdy shoes with flat heels.
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Members' reviews on NATIONAL MUSEUM OF LUXEMBOURG IRON MINES
The ratings and reviews below reflect the subjective opinions of members and not the opinion of The Little Witty.
Het treintje rijdt een rondje. Die kan je ook doen zonder de rondleiding. Dat was een betere keuze voor ons geweest, als gezin met jonge kinderen (7, 4 en 5 mndn)