Eisenberg is one of the 43 Sauerland-Seelenorte in the Sauerland-Wanderdorf, www.sauerland-wanderdoerfer.de/. The history of the Sauerland-Seelenorte by Michael Gleich and other useful information can be found at www.sauerland-wanderdoerfer.de/de/Sauerland-Seelenorte/Die-43-Seelenorte/Eisenberg.
The "Brilon Eisenberg" mine, located on the northwest wing of the "East Sauerland Main Saddle", is part of the "Sauerland Iron Ore District", which covers the area between Olsberg, Marsberg and Adorf. It is located in the immediate vicinity of a large fault line, the "Altenbüren Fault", and is the westernmost of a large number of mines whose rock is bound to the main greenstone train volcanism of the Upper Middle Devonian around 380 million years ago. The thickness of the ferruginous rocks varies between 1 and 20 m (on average 5-6 m), the west-east extension is up to 800 m. The rocks contain up to 35,000 tons of iron. The rock contains up to 35 % iron (Fe).
The ore's mining value increases from west to east, as siliceous iron ore predominates in the western part and calcareous iron ore in the eastern part. The longest tunnel that is still accessible to visitors is the Philippstollen with a total length of around 1000 meters. It first passes through a mighty series of diabases and tuffs of the "main greenstone volcanism" before reaching the actual red iron ore.
Age of the rocks: Diabase: Upper Givetian main greenstone train; Givet stage, transition from Middle to Upper Devonian (around 380 million years before today)
Visits and guided tours take place from May to October by prior arrangement.
Contact for bookings and information: Olsberg-Touristik (Tel.: 02962 97370)
(Texts: Brilon Olsberg Tourism)