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A top viewpoint in the Westerwald. And a special object: The headframe of a mine has been reconstructed at this prominent location on the Steineberger Höhe. The hoist drum and a small shaft house complement the impressive steel structure and create a very successful overall picture.After 96 steps, you will have reached the observation platform at a height of about 20 meters. The view is magnificent: a panoramic view over the wooded landscape with a direct view of Hachenburg Castle. On clear days, the distinctive Siebengebirge near the Rhine feels within reach. A fresh wind often blows from there – a well-known trademark of the Westerwald. It invigorates and feels good to breathe in the healthy mountain air deeply. If you are not familiar with the area, you can learn everything about the Barbaraturm, which has now found its permanent home, through maps and information. Experience a small journey through time and admire the breathtaking view from the Steineberger Höhe in our association community.The Barbaraturm completes the ensemble of the visitor mine of the Bindweide mine: A mine just wouldn’t be complete without a headframe! After the multimedia exhibition at the visitor center of the visitor mine and the forge, the headframe of a former mine in the Harz – 15 years after its closure – was finally reassembled here. In a public naming competition, “Barbaraturm” was clearly chosen. Saint Barbara is the patron saint of miners.Even shortly after its inauguration in May 2014, the Barbaraturm has developed into a tourist attraction and a landmark for the new association community of Betzdorf-Gebhardshain.It is a landmark on the quality hiking trail Druidensteig, a starting point for hikes and bike tours, a resting and picnic area, as well as a meeting point. Furthermore, the tower is a site for action art. As the photos show, the Barbaraturm was elaborately illuminated during an event lighting action in June 2020, and during the Advent season, the largest Advent wreath in the Westerwald adorned the top of the tower.
History
The Barbaraturm on the Steineberger Höhe in Malberg impresses not only with its fascinating view but also with its history. "A headframe on a journey" – this has been stated in many articles about the famous Barbaraturm, as this tower has traveled beyond the borders of the Westerwald. Its origin dates back to 1941 as a headframe over the west shaft of the lead-zinc ore mine Grund in Bad Grund in the Harz. After 52 years, the ore mine in Grund was shut down, and the headframe was dismantled on March 29, 1999. While old mining landmarks normally end up in the scrap yard, the journey for the headframe from the Harz was not yet over: Bernd Mudersbach, owner of Mudersbach GmbH & Co. KG from Friedewald, rescued the historic tower from being scrapped. The headframe was stored for 14 years at Mudersbach's company, waiting to find a new place. In 2013, the then association community of Gebhardshain decided to give the headframe, now named Barbaraturm, a new home. Upon its arrival in its new association community, the 22-meter-high tower received a small shaft house in spring 2014, which resembled the original building of the west shaft in the Harz. Its location is only 500 meters away from the historic site of the headframe of the Bindweide mine. The Barbaraturm no longer transports rock or people, but it does attract numerous hikers and admirers.
The Barbaraturm – an impressive headframe as a lookout tower
Once you have ascended the observation platform, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view over the most beautiful part of the Westerwald. You are on the paths of mining tradition.
Contact and directions
Auf der Steineberger Höhe57629 Malberg
Contact
(0049) 2741 291 118
tourismus@vg-bg.de
Related links
http://www.vg-bg.de
