Marienschacht Bannewitz

About the Marienschacht

The Marienschacht in Bannewitz near Dresden is a listed former hard coal mine, now used as a mining monument and event venue. From 1886, the Freiherrlich von Burgker Steinkohlenwerke sank the shaft; in 1891 the last Malakow tower built in Germany was erected, the most striking structure in Bannewitz. From 1968 to 1989, SDAG Wismut mined uranium-bearing ore coal; after the shaft was sealed in 1994 and site remediation was completed in 1999, the area was preserved as a historic ensemble. Until 01.01.2025, an association operated the mining and regional museum; the monument continues to be used for public events such as the witches' bonfire, Advent market, Open Monument Day and a Sachsen-Classics stop, as well as for private events such as weddings. The site is located at Schachtstraße 12, about 9 km from Dresden city centre.

Site

Bannewitz

Processes

Events (witches' bonfire, Christmas market, afterwork, Open Monument Day), Private events / weddings, Group guided tours, Food & drink at events, Visitor parking

Founded

1886

Industries

Tourism/Events, Heritage conservation/Mining, Heritage conservation/Mining museum

Site

Bannewitz

DE

Mining monument and event venue (former museum)

• Malakow tower (1891)
• Headframe
• Courtyard stage
• Historic shaft grounds

Inside the production

History

1. 1886

   Start of shaft sinking by the Freiherrlich von Burgker Steinkohlenwerke; sinking took over 7 years

2. 1891

   Construction of the Malakow tower – the last Malakow tower built in Germany

3. 1968

   Takeover of the shaft by SDAG Wismut for the extraction of ore coal (uranium-bearing coal)

4. 1989

   Discontinuation of uranium mining by SDAG Wismut

5. 1990

   Start of preparations for dismantling and site remediation

6. 1994

   Sealing of the shaft

7. 1999

   Completion of dismantling and site remediation

8. 2025

   The Marienschacht Mining and Regional Museum closes as of 01.01.2025; the monument continues to be used as an event venue