Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Login or Signup

Get the App

Login or Signup

Discover
Places to see

Caves

Germany
Rhineland-Palatinate
Palatinate
Donnersbergkreis
Imsbach

Katharina I Mine

Highlight • Historical Site

Katharina I Mine

Recommended by 149 hikers out of 152

Save

Share

  • More

  • Save

    Share

  • More

  • Take Me There

    Routes here

    Best Hikes to Katharina I Mine

    4.9

    (134)

    582

    hikers

    1. View of Imsbach – Kupferberghütte loop from Imsbach

    14.6km

    04:25

    480m

    480m

    Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    Navigate

    Send to Phone

    Intermediate

    Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

    Intermediate

    Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    Easy

    Tips

    January 1, 2019

    The pits Katharina I and Katharina II are among the oldest copper mines in the Imsbacher district. Although the beginning of copper ore mining in Imsbach has not yet been clarified and may possibly date back to Roman times, the Katharinengruben was already in operation in the 14th century. This can be proven by dated ceramic finds.
    Besides copper ore, cobalt and occasionally silver were also mined here.
    The name of the pits may have come from St. Catherine, who was worshiped as the patron saint.
    The main pumping tunnel of both mines was until 1905 the Katharina Erbstollen, probably already used in the 16th century. The pits are connected with each other through an approximately 80 meter long crosscut just from this burial tunnel to the Catherine II pit.
    The today's picture of the pits originated around 1900, when one dismantled the ore in the open pit. In the impressive open-pit walls are still some of the older tunnels to recognize.
    The minerals known from there were found in the open-cast mines. Höffige places are but here also long ago completely dismantled by collectors. Halden no longer exist, they have fallen victim to the Laugerei and military airfield construction in Sembach.

    Translated by Google •

      May 26, 2024

      The current image of the mines dates back to around 1900, when the ore was mined in open-cast mines. Some of the older tunnels can still be seen in the impressive open-cast mine walls.

      The minerals known from there were found in the open-cast mines. However, here too, some of the valuable sites were completely mined by collectors a long time ago. The dumps no longer exist; they fell victim to the leaching process and the construction of the military airfield in Sembach.

      mineralienfreunde-der-pfalz.de/fundstellen/bergwerke/imsbach/katharina1

      Translated by Google •

        August 31, 2021

        Man has left real wounds in nature here. Still, it fascinates me. The abandoned pits are likely to be a habitat for some wild animals and insects. It was just rustling from lizards. Unfortunately, none made it in the photo. Too fast or me too impatient? Who knows!

        Translated by Google •

          In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

          Sign up for free

          Details

          Informations

          Elevation 420 m

          Weather

          Powered by AerisWeather

          Today

          Wednesday 22 October

          15°C

          12°C

          100 %

          If you start your activity now...

          Max wind speed: 9.0 km/h

          Most visited during

          January

          February

          March

          April

          May

          June

          July

          August

          September

          October

          November

          December

          Loading

          Location: Imsbach, Donnersbergkreis, Palatinate, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

          Other Popular Places to Check Out

          Grüner Löwe Mine

          Explore
          RoutesRoute plannerFeaturesHikesMTB TrailsRoad cycling routesBikepacking
          Download the app
          Follow Us on Socials

          © komoot GmbH

          Privacy Policy