Bergbaumuseum Karl-Schacht
Municipal museum at the former shaft house in Rosental on the history of West Styrian lignite mining, with original machinery.
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About the museum
In the area around Voitsberg, coal mining began in the 18th century; many small mine owners worked side by side until the operations merged over time. In September 2004, the last lignite was extracted in the Oberdorf-Bärnbach open-cast mine – ending a mining tradition in Styria that had lasted more than 250 years, had given work to thousands of people and had shaped both the landscape and the population.
In 2010, the municipality of Rosental an der Kainach decided to set up a mining museum in the area of the former shaft house of the "Karl-Schacht III" mine; it opened in 2011. On around 300 square metres and an adjoining outdoor area, the eventful history of West Styrian coal mining is shown.
The focus is on the development of mining techniques – from pure manual labour in the early 19th century through steam-powered hoisting machines and pumps and mine railways to modern underground methods and large machines such as bucket-chain and bucket-wheel excavators – as well as social and ethnographic aspects. Large-format photographs, historic film footage and original machinery such as a tunnelling machine, a mine locomotive and mine supports in wood and iron illustrate this. An 86-tonne Menck mine excavator returned to Rosental in 2016.
Highlights
- History of West Styrian lignite mining over around 250 years
- Original machinery such as a tunnelling machine and a mine locomotive
- 86-tonne Menck mine excavator in the outdoor area
- Photo documentation and historic film footage
- Guided tours by knowledgeable guides
Permanent exhibition
- Bergbau in der Weststeiermark – The history of lignite mining in the Voitsberg area with photo documentation, film footage, original machinery and mine supports as well as large equipment in the outdoor area.
- Founded
- 2011
- Operated by
- Gemeinde Rosental an der Kainach
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Pupils and students |
| Seniors | €5in groups of 10 or more people €4.50 |
| Students & apprentices | €3Pupils and students; in groups of 10 or more people €2.50 |
| Groups | €5 per personAdults in groups; pupils/students from 10 people €2.50, seniors from 10 people €4.50 |
| Families | €122 adults and children up to 14 years |
For groups booked in advance, the guided tour is included in the price.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
According to Museumsportal Lipizzanerheimat, wheelchair accessible, toilet available (information not published by the museum itself).
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Family ticket | €12 · 2 adults and children up to 14 years |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
Tours suitable for children and school pupils by arrangement; family ticket for 2 adults with children up to 14 years.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 45 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Depending on arrangement, guided tours last from 45 minutes to about 1.5 hours; tours suitable for children and school pupils are also available. |
