Mines of Rammelsberg, Historic Town of Goslar and Upper Harz Water Management System
The Upper Harz mining water management system,
which lies south of the Rammelsberg mines and the town of Goslar, has
been developed over a period of some 800 years to assist in the process
of extracting ore for the production of non-ferrous metals. Its
construction was first undertaken in the Middle Ages by Cistercian
monks, and it was then developed on a vast scale from the end of the
16th century until the 19th century. It is made up of an extremely
complex but perfectly coherent system of artificial ponds, small
channels, tunnels and underground drains. It enabled the development of
water power for use in mining and metallurgical processes. It is a major
site for mining innovation in the western world.