Miner’s culture

"Glückauf, Glückauf, der Steiger kommt!" – Mining and mining culture in our region

In the TERRA.vita Nature and Geopark, mining has a centuries-old tradition that has shaped entire areas for many generations and still shapes it today. Clubs and museums have made it their task to uphold the traditions of the regional mining culture and to commemorate times past.

A large part of our region belongs to the Ibbenbüren coalfield. It is characterized by the fact that about 300-million-year-old layers of the Upper Carboniferous were lifted to the surface. Mining took place here primarily on the Piesberg and Westerberg in Osnabrück, on the Hüggel near Hasbergen, and on the Schafberg in Ibbenbüren. Another important mining area in our region is in the Wiehengebirge near Porta-Westfalica. In the Museum of Industrial Culture near Osnabrück or in the Kleinenbremen visitor mine near Porta Westfalica, everyone can experience mining culture up close.

Of course, there are countless other mining areas in the TERRA.vita region – each closed quarry tells its own mining story and today often plays an important role in nature conservation. On a hike through the TERRA.vita Nature and Geopark, it is quite possible that you will unexpectedly come across relics from the mining era. Anyone who is enthusiastic about such historic hikes should explore the Miner’s Trail in Kirchdornberg (Bergmannsweg Kirchdornberg), the Dyckerhoff Nature and Geological Trail in Lengerich (Natur- und Geopfad Dyckerhoff Lengerich), the TERRA.track Geological Educational Path (TERRA.track Geologischer Lehrpfad), the Hüggel and Mining Tunnels in Silbersee (Hüggel und Stollen im Silbersee) or the Cultural and Landscape Park Piesberg (Kultur- und Landschaftspark Piesberg). Exciting guided tours are often offered at these locations. Information can also be found under the respective links.

Why is this an intangible cultural heritage?

In this case, the intangible cultural heritage is found mainly in living mining traditions, and customs. This includes, among other things, the miners' language as the technical terms of mining. It has a very old history and is still firmly anchored in our region. Traditional mining terms such as the miner's greeting Glückauf (Good luck!) are often the basis of the names of streets, clubs, or pharmacies and other facilities in this country.

Another example of an intangible cultural asset is the historic Steigerlied (miner’s foreman song). In 2020 it was already included in the state inventory of intangible cultural heritages of North Rhine-Westphalia. With just one click you can experience this intangible cultural heritage yourself: the music association "Glückauf" Anthrazit Ibbenbüren e.V. performs the Steigerlied in a traditional way.

Photos (top left to bottom right):

Title, photos 1+2: Music club “Glückauf” anthracite Ibbenbüren e.V.
Photo 3: Museum of Industrial Culture
Photo 4: Schafberg Ibbenbüren
Photos 5 - 8: Kleinenbremen visitor mine