Felsenmuseum Bernstein
Museum in Bernstein on noble serpentine, mining, amber and crystals, with a show mine, workshop tours and stone-grinding workshops.
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About the museum
The Felsenmuseum Bernstein goes back to the sculptor and noble serpentine artist Otto Potsch (1938–2022), who built the museum between 1976 and 1980 to make his knowledge and collections accessible to the public. The background is a family tradition of working noble serpentine: an ancestor, Josef Höfer, began grinding the green stone, which occurs only here, in 1860; today Niko Potsch runs the workshop in the fifth generation.
The building on the main square houses several exhibitions. The show mine covers the region's historic mining, the extraction of noble serpentine, minerals and fluorescence; a covered open-air area commemorates the Schlaining antimony mine, closed in 1991, with an original lift that visitors can operate themselves. The noble serpentine collection shows crafts from several generations, including an award-winning mosaic vase from the 1958 World's Fair in Brussels.
Other areas include the exhibition "Fossil Gold" on 40 million years of Baltic amber, "Crystals in the Spotlight" and a show on the life's work of Otto Potsch. The offering is rounded out by a shop, a sculpture garden, workshop tours and workshops on grinding noble serpentine.
Highlights
- Show mine with noble serpentine extraction, minerals and fluorescence
- Open-air area on the Schlaining antimony mine with original lift
- Noble serpentine collection with gold-medal mosaic vase from 1958
- "Fossil Gold": Baltic amber, inclusions and amber routes
- Workshop tours and grinding workshops for noble serpentine
Permanent exhibitions
- Schaubergwerk – Mining history of the region, noble serpentine extraction shown in models, minerals, fluorescence and an open-air area on antimony mining.
- Edelserpentin-Sammlung – Noble serpentine crafts since 1860, a historic turner's workshop and works from several grinding workshops.
- Fossiles Gold – Origin, extraction and trade of Baltic amber, with inclusions, antique jewellery and tips on spotting forgeries.
- Operated by
- Familie Potsch (Niko Potsch)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €12 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €10Students up to 24 years with ID |
| Children & teens | €7free up to age 5 · Children aged 6 to 15 |
| Students & apprentices | €10up to 24 years with ID |
| Groups (20+ people) | €8 per personGroups of 20 or more, including introduction (approx. 10 minutes) |
| Families | €312 adults and 2 children |
| School classes up to 18 years (incl. puzzle rally and introduction) | €6 |
| Workshop tour, surcharge for 15 or more people (per person) | €3.50Only together with museum admission, by prior appointment |
| Workshop tour for up to 14 people (flat rate) | €49 |
| Workshop tour day, adults (surcharge) | €5See website for dates, no registration needed |
| Noble serpentine grinding workshop + museum, adults | €29 |
| Noble serpentine grinding workshop + museum, children up to 15 | €19 |
| Workshop for school classes up to 18 years | €15Includes puzzle rally and introduction |
Prices 2025/2026; admission includes special exhibitions.
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 the museum, dogs on a lead are welcome. No information on accessibility.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
| Family ticket | €31 · 2 adults and 2 children |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
Family ticket, museum rally for school groups and a noble serpentine workshop for children, parents and grandparents; visitors can start the original lift in the open-air area themselves.
Getting there & parking
By car
Free parking
Free public parking for cars and coaches in front of the museum.
A route map is available on the museum's website.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Coffee and drinks vending machines available; visitors may eat their own snacks in the museum and sculpture garden. Shop of about 150 m² (noble serpentine, amber, gemstones, minerals).
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Multilingual electronic information columns guide visitors through the museum; groups receive an introduction. Workshop tours only by prior appointment and together with the museum visit (total duration approx. 2¼ hours); workshop plus museum approx. 3 hours. Museum rallies are available for schools from the 1st grade. |
