Schachtrock Festival Wettelrode

When Rock Music Meets Mining

The Röhrigschacht Mining Experience Centre in Wettelrode is one of the most spectacular industrial culture centres in Saxony-Anhalt: an authentic show mine of the Mansfeld copper shale mining industry, 283 metres underground, with a winding tower, miners' settlement, and a whole ensemble of surface facilities. In the summer of 2026, the grounds will become the stage for an open-air rock festival for the first time: Schachtrock.

The concept is clear: regional up-and-coming bands get an evening to show what they've got. Six bands from the three mining towns of Sangerhausen, Eisleben, and Nordhausen will share the stage from 4 PM to midnight. Admission: a modest €15. Schachtrock thus positions itself as a compact, curated alternative to the region's major festivals – with a clear connection to the mining history of the Mansfeld-Südharz district.

Six Bands, One Mine Site

Confirmed acts include Bone Stew and The Peaks from Eisleben, Creed of Pain from Nordhausen, and Offzone, Return to Sanity, and New Time from Sangerhausen. The musical spectrum ranges from melodic rock to harder metal sounds – handmade music, lots of energy, and direct interaction with the audience.

The organizers – Rosenstadt Sangerhausen GmbH, which also operates the experience centre – deliberately scheduled the festival for August 1, 2026. The date falls within the peak season of the show mine, allowing visitors to combine the festival day with a trip underground. Those travelling in Saxony-Anhalt during the summer will get an unusual double feature of industrial culture and a rock open-air.