The Golden Town of Goldkronach
In Goldkronach everything belongs together: Without the geological events that have led to the formation of the Franconian line, there would have been no gold deposits. And without these gold deposits, the town would probably not have been founded. This is one of the reasons why it’s all about the gold in the small town on the river Kronach. Even the town’s name would not be possible without the precious metal.
Scattered traces of gold mining can be found to this day in the Goldkronacher townscape. The historical lore on the marketplace is clearly the most visible sign of centuries of mining history of the town. In addition, the gold mining museum, the Info House on the Goldberg and the Humboldt Trail demonstrate the remarkable history of gold mining in Goldkronach.
On clearly arranged display boards at points throughout Goldkronach you can find in detail the most exciting things about the town, its history and gold mining. Anyone interested in the original locations of gold mining in Goldkronach may visit two former mines. Information about the geology around Goldkronach can be found at the Goldkronacher geo points, which were built by the town in cooperation with the Geopark Bavaria-Bohemia and the Wohlfühlregion Fichtelgebirge. Guided tours are also offered.
History of Gold Mining in Goldkronach
Goldkronach is located directly on the ‘Franconian line’, a geological fault.
Along this break in the earth’s crust, the softer foreland area lowered, whilst the harder land of the Fichtelgebirge lifted.
As a result, rock types of several geological periods can be found around Goldkronach. The gold deposits that have given the town its name are attributed to these geological movements. They are limited to a small area around the mountain called Goldberg.
As more and more precious metals were found in the village “Cranach”, its importance increased and in 1365 it was elevated to the staus of a town. The first written evidence of the name “Goldtkranach” dates back to 1398.
The heyday of the gold mining was from the mid-14th century to the mid 15th century. Goldsmiths from Bamberg, Nuremberg and Erfurt had shares in the Goldkronacher mines and processed the precious commodity.
However, mining was repeatedly interrupted by wars and fires for extended periods of time.
In 1792 the central Prussian administration took over the territory of the formerly independent principalities of Ansbach and Bayreuth. The 23-year-old Alexander von Humboldt was sent to assess the condition of the city and its mines.
He stayed on in Goldkronach as the principal mountain engineer (Oberbergmeister) to revive the mining industry, using new techniques. In 1803, Prussia was still making gold ducats out of Goldkronacher gold.
However, declining revenues brought about the end of gold mining in 1861.
In 1907, a new mining company was formed, which in 1920, became known as the ‘Fichtelgold AG’ . Positive forecasts made the Fichtelgold share an object of speculation. But only a few years after the establishment of the corporation the financiers of Fichtelgold had payment difficulties. The value of the stock plummeted and the mine had to be abandoned despite its positive recent mining results. In 1925 mining ended in the district of Brandholz. Exploratory drilling in the 1970s ensured headlines once more – but did not lead to a rebirth of the mining industry in Goldkronach.
One of the many mining experts in Goldkronach
Günther Wein has a surprisingly large collection of mining lamps from the various eras of mining in the region. Here one finds, for example, old mountain man hats, which were lined with moss.
His collection of historical photos and maps is impressive; based on this, he reconstructs the locations of old mine entrances, of which there were once more than one hundred, before falling gradually into oblivion.
His carvings from wood provide insights into traditional craft traditions.
Gold Mining Museum
The museum offers a comprehensive insight into the nearly 600-year mining history of Goldkronach.
The hardship underground, inhumane conditions and disasters in mining are equally represented as the ‘shining’ successes in search of gold.
More information about the museum can be found under Photo!
Opening Times:
Sundays and public holidays from 1pm – 5pm, from April to 3rd Sunday in December.
Please call for exact winter opening times: 09273 984-0
Info House on the Goldberg
On the far side of the ‘Gold Mountain’, east of Goldkronach, located on the Fränkische Gebirgsweg (Franconia mountain trail), an information center was inaugurated in August 2008. Here, amongst other things, you can see the highly informative film ‘Gold in the mountain’ of Arcadia Productions, of which the QR-tour was kindly allowed to show excerpts (in German only!).
Information boards on the outside walls of the Info Centre are accessible at all times. They explain the unique geology around Goldkronach and illustrate the rich mining history through original quotes from the Middle Ages.
A visitor’s room and a covered terrace protects the visitor from bad weather and guests can enjoy a small snack.
Open every Sunday and public holidays from May to September from 11am to 5pm. Contact: 09273-9840
Tip: Even gold panning can be practiced here – Groups can book this activity also outside the opening times!
Visitor Mines “Schmutzlerzeche” and “Mittlerer Name Gottes” (= “God’s Middle Name”)
In the immediate vicinity of the info house are the visitor mines “Schmutzlerzeche” and “Mittlerer Name Gottes” . The “Schmutzlerzeche” is open for visitors only in the summer months – in winter they are closed for bat conservation.
The mine “Middle name of God” can be visited only under expert guidance. About 200 meters into the mountain you go on a journey through time, exploring the geology and gold mining of the past.
The visitor mines are open from May to September on Sundays and public holidays from 11am to 5pm. Groups can also book other dates. Contact: 09273-9840
Humboldt Trail
The trail “Humboldtweg” covers approx. 40 stations in the former gold mining area of Goldkronach. Two different circular walks lead around the visible traces of the mining history.
You can take a self-guided tour with a special map, which you can obtain from the Tourist Information and at the Museum.
Info Tel. 09273-9840
The Gold King
A local saga told by Heinz Zahn.
English Version by Catriona Gallo
The Gold King
Early Mining History – How it all started
A short extract from the documentary film ‘Gold im Berg’
produced by Arcadia Productions in 2008.
Gold Mining Tools
Heinz Zahn from Goldmühl is an expert in mining history. For the QR-Tour he demonstrates the medieval tools for gold mining, as used by the early Venetian explorers:
Wooden backpack, kindling, an open light or an oil-light, drinking cup, a knife, mallet and iron, gold pan and more.
Jean Paul Meets Alexander von Humboldt
The Humboldt-Cultural Forum commissioned author Frank Piontek to create a fictitious dialogue between the two famous men. Although Jean Paul and Alexander von Humboldt lived at around the same time in Goldkronach, they never got to know each other personally. For the premiere, two performances were given at four different locations: the church, the Humboldt Hotel, the Palace terrace and inside the museum.
Writer: Dr. Frank Piontek, Concept: Dr. Karla Fohrbeck (KulturPartner), Director: Marieluise Müller, Actors: Wolfram Ster, Marcus Leclaire, Michaela Bachhuber, Music: cellist Sibylle Friz
Mit dem Biedermeierverein Bad Steben
Kamera: Dominic Day, Sabine Gollner, Schnitt: Dominic Day
Inside the Gold Mining Museum
The exhibits in the Gold Mining Museum tell the whole story about the centuries of gold mining in Goldkronach.
The museum was opened in the former office building of the State Forestry Administration in 2004; previously there was a local history museum in Goldkronach, and its stock has since been integrated into the new museum.
The museum displays as a permanent exhibit the history of gold mining and the city’s history, as well as hosting changing exhibits. A walk through the various rooms reveal topics such as the geology of the Fichtelgebirge, gold production, alchemy, gold processing, the myth of gold and the mines around Goldkronach.
Special highlight: A remodeled tunnel illustrates the atmosphere underground in a mine.
Travel Diary 2014
Set slightly outside the town centre, the museum of Goldkronach is a quiet, modest building dedicated to the history of the town and the mining industry that built it.
In the museum’s garden at the back of the building you can find information about the Franconian Line. An exhibition of a variety of rocks illustrates the surrounding geology.
A real sense of pride can be felt here as a rich heritage is portrayed by the museum, giving visitors an opportunity to understand the past that surrounds the town.
Sitting outside the museum, although it’s interesting to see the modern life occurring around me, it strikes me that every now and then we need to remind ourselves of where we come from and to remember those who were once here.
Chris Rudman
Magazine Editor, Author, Manchester
Tip:
In the garden of the museum is a modern gold panning facility as well as a historical panning table, which demonstrates the gold panning method of past centuries. It is fully functional and used at special events
Mysterious Crosses
Many trees in the forests around Goldkronach bear mysterious crosses, three found at a time. These three crosses stand for the ‘Holy Trinity’, “In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
The forest workers carve them into the tree trunks to prevent the tree from being damaged when it falls and to make sure that the woodcutter returns to his family safe from harm, after his hard work.
The marking of tree stumps with three crosses has a mythical background. The forest workers wanted to give a refuge to wood nymphs and moss fairies with the three crosses on tree stumps. These goblins were the friends of the forest workers.
On stumps marked with crosses, wood nymphs and moss fairies were safe from their enemy , the wild hunter, who stalked them everywhere in the forest. In order to protect themselves, wood nymphs and moss fairies fled to the marked tree stumps.
Here they were safe and could rest. In gratitude for the safe haven, the goblins ensured that the forest workers came to no harm during their heavy work in the forest.
Unfortunately, in today’s modern forestry, there is very little space for the old customs from the time of wood cutters and charcoal burners.
