Purpose of the house rules
Our house rules are designed to ensure that your stay with us is a pleasant one. It is therefore in your own interest to observe the house rules. They are binding for all visitors.

House rules
The management, represented by the employees of the Messel Pit World Heritage Site, exercises the house rules. Instructions must therefore be followed. They serve to ensure the safety and protection of visitors and museum employees.

Use of the facilities at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Grube Messel
Visitors must observe the instructions and directions given by the employees of Grube Messel. If visitors fail to do so, employees of Grube Messel may exclude them from using the facilities or expel them from the premises without this giving rise to any claim for compensation. The Messel Pit World Heritage Site accepts no liability for any damage caused by violation or non-compliance with the notices, instructions, or directions, unless such damage is due to intentional or grossly negligent breach of duty on the part of the Messel Pit World Heritage Site, its legal representatives, or vicarious agents. This does not apply to damage resulting from injury to life, limb, or health (personal injury). To avoid accidents, please note that the use of skateboards, inline skates, city scooters, and similar devices is prohibited in the museum building and on the outdoor grounds.

Smoking, fire, bringing in objects
Smoking is not permitted in the museum rooms or on the mine site. Bulky hand luggage, bags, and suitcases must be locked in the cloakroom. Our cloakroom and lockers are available for storing clothing during the museum’s opening hours on the upper floor. We accept no liability for items left in the cloakroom or lockers.

Food and drink
Food and drink are not permitted in the exhibition rooms. Please use the bistro and outdoor areas.

Animals
Animals are not permitted in the exhibition rooms, with the exception of guide dogs and assistance dogs.

Photography and filming
Audio, film, photo, and video recordings of any kind are only permitted for private (souvenir) purposes. Any use for commercial, business, or non-commercial purposes—including on private websites—requires the prior written consent of the management of Welterbe Grube Messel gGmbH. The publication of recordings without permission is prohibited.

Use of playground equipment
When using playground equipment, age restrictions and instructions for use must be observed at all times. Welterbe Grube Messel gGmbH accepts no liability for any damage caused by non-compliance or other improper use, unless it is due to intentional or gross negligence.

Supervisory duty
Children under the age of 12 are only allowed to enter the facilities when accompanied by an adult. Parents or guardians are asked to fulfill their supervisory duties carefully. If parents or guardians fail to fulfill their supervisory duties, they will be liable for any damage caused by the children.

Media guide, museum app, Wi-Fi
The Messel Pit World Heritage Site provides visitors with a media guide and Wi-Fi for use with their own mobile devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets).

No guarantee is given for the constant availability of content or for the error-free functioning of the Wi-Fi. Liability for damages resulting from use is excluded, unless the damages result from injury to life, limb, or health, or from intentional or grossly negligent breaches of duty by the Messel Pit World Heritage Site or its employees.

The uploading of software or files of any kind to the provided Wi-Fi access point is prohibited. The media guide may only be played on personal devices using headphones.

Opening hours
Visiting hours end at 5:00 p.m. Last admission to the exhibition is at 4:00 p.m. The museum grounds, including the outdoor facilities, are only accessible during opening hours.

Our opening hours:
March 15 – November 15: Monday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

November 16 – March 14: Wednesday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

(except December 24 – 26 and December 31 – January 1)

Please note the separately listed tour guidelines of Welterbe Grube Messel gGmbH when taking a tour of the pit site.

These house rules come into effect on January 1, 2026.

Your Welterbe Grube Messel gGmbH