Short Pit Tour (1h)
Your introduction to the mine. Learn about what was once Europe’s most modern smoldering plant, how a volcano created a crater lake in which algae sludge formed, giving rise to oil shale and preserving the flora and fauna from 47 million years ago to the present day. Touch the oil shale and let the sight of the fossils transport you back to the long-gone Eocene epoch, the dawn of time.
Tour dates in English
Explore Messel pit | Short Pit Tour in English
Between 28 March and 19 October 2026, the English tour will take place on odd-numbered calendar weeks on Fridays at 1.30pm (except on public holidays).
Dates are as follows:
April: 10th and 24th
May: 8th and 22nd
June: 5th and 19th
July: 3rd , 19th and 31st
August: 14th and 28th
September: 11th and 25th
October: 9th and 23rd
Route
Approx. 1 km, 30 meters elevation gain, up to 8% gradient.
Prices
Adults: €10
Concessions*: €8
Children under 6: free
Family ticket**: €24
Maximum number of participants: 40 people
Optional add-on including museum admission: €14 (concessions €11, family ticket €35)
* Children aged 6 to 17, students, apprentices, BFD/FSJ/FÖJ volunteers, people with severe disabilities, and holders of a Museum Pass issued by the German Museum Association (Deutscher Museumsbund e.V.).
** Applies to families of up to 5 people (1–2 adults and 1–4 children aged up to 17). With the Hessen Family App, you receive a 20% discount on the family ticket (please note: not applicable for online bookings, but only when paying on site. We recommend booking the tour in advance by telephone on +49 (0) 6159 71759-0 or by email at service@welterbe-grube-messel.de.)
Children under 6 and carers accompanying people with a ‘B’ mark on their disability card are admitted free of charge.
Tickets & inquiries
Tickets can be booked on site, subject to availability. However, we recommend registering in advance by phone at +49 (0) 6159 71759-0 or booking online.
Th 21.05.
10:30 - 11:30h
Th 21.05.
12:00 - 13:00h
Th 21.05.
15:30 - 16:30h
Fr 22.05.
10:30 - 11:30h
Fr 22.05.
12:00 - 13:00h
Fr 22.05.
13:30 - 14:30h
Fr 22.05.
15:30 - 16:30h
Sa 23.05.
11:00 - 12:00h
Sa 23.05.
12:30 - 13:30h
Sa 23.05.
14:00 - 15:00h
Sa 23.05.
15:30 - 16:30h
So 24.05.
11:00 - 12:00h
So 24.05.
12:30 - 13:30h
So 24.05.
14:00 - 15:00h
So 24.05.
15:30 - 16:30h
Mo 25.05.
11:00 - 12:00h
Mo 25.05.
12:30 - 13:30h
Mo 25.05.
14:00 - 15:00h
Mo 25.05.
15:30 - 16:30h
Tu 26.05.
10:30 - 11:30h
Tu 26.05.
12:00 - 13:00h
Tu 26.05.
15:30 - 16:30h
We 27.05.
10:30 - 11:30h
We 27.05.
12:00 - 13:00h
We 27.05.
15:30 - 16:30h
The Short Pit Tour (1 h) can also be booked for private groups.
For further information and to arrange a date, please use the “Request programme” form or call +49 (0) 6159 71759-0.
Minimum flat rate: For private groups, this is €160 (equivalent to 20 participants), with a foreign language surcharge of €20 for English or French. Please note on the form if any participants have difficulty walking – we will find a suitable solution.
Welterbe Grube Messel GGmbH
Rossdörfer Str. 108
64409 Messel
Mail: service@welterbe-grube-messel.de
Phone: +49 (0) 6159 71759 – 0