The German Mining Museum is the largest mining museum in the world and one of the best industrial museums anywhere in Europe. The collection covers over 10,000 years of mining history, from stone-age flint extraction to modern mechanised coalfaces. The headframe above the building — 71 metres tall — is a Bochum landmark and the observation platform at the top gives a clear view across the Ruhr.
The highlight is the underground demonstration mine, a genuine network of tunnels and galleries below the building where guides walk you through different eras of mining technology. It is cool, atmospheric, and takes about an hour. Book in advance in summer when school groups fill the slots.