"Kohlewelt" to open in late summer: Costs have risen

The extensive refurbishment of the Oelsnitz Mining Museum is entering the home straight, but will be far more expensive than originally planned. In late summer, the "Coal World" will reopen to visitors as an experience in an authentic location. According to the Erzgebirgskreis, the costs amount to almost 30 million euros - originally around 18 million euros were estimated. Among other things, this was due to increased construction costs and unexpected difficulties with renovations to the historic building structure.

The museum was opened in 1986 in the listed building of a former coal mine. Around 30 years later, a renovation became necessary. The establishment of the new exhibition is being supported by the state with around 2.9 million euros, the decision was presented on Monday.

A vivid and entertaining presentation is planned, said museum director Jan Färber. This includes a digital museum rally. In addition to the history of coal mining in Saxony, information will also be provided on how coal was created in the first place. To this end, a forest will be staged as it existed here around 300 million years ago. There will also be a giant steam engine, a replica of a pub for miners and a memorial for miners who died in accidents. The museum can draw on its collection of around 50,000 exhibits for the exhibition.

"I am sure that the future coal world with its winding tower visible from afar will generate a great deal of interest," said Barbara Meyer, State Secretary in the Ministry for Regional Development, on Monday. Coal mining was once important in driving forward the industrialization of Saxony. In future, at least 30,000 to 40,000 people are expected to visit the museum every year.

In the immediate vicinity, art lovers will also be able to get their money's worth in future: An impressive light installation by US artist James Turrell is planned there, expressing the miners' longing for light. The project is part of the "Purple Path", one of the flagships for Chemnitz as European Capital of Culture 2025.