Granatium
Interactive museum in Radenthein dedicated to garnet, with the Karfunkel tunnel, a garnet room and a prospecting area where visitors can search for garnets themselves.
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About the museum
The Granatium in Radenthein opened in 2008. The Millstatt Alps are considered the largest garnet deposit in the Alps, and the red gemstone has shaped the region. In 2010 the museum was already able to welcome its 100,000th visitor. It is operated by Pro Radenthein Orts- und Regionalentwicklung GmbH & Co KG.
On the first floor, the garnet museum shows the formation, properties and history of garnet, which was already used to strike fire in the Stone Age. The garnet room is lined with thin garnet plates and staged with light and music.
Outside, the 300-metre-long Karfunkel tunnel leads through what the museum says is Europe's only walkable garnet vein, past an underground lake, at around 8 to 10 degrees. In the prospecting area in the forest, visitors can extract garnets from the rock themselves and keep them. The shop sells garnet jewellery and regional products, sometimes with gem-cutting demonstrations.
Highlights
- Karfunkel tunnel: a 300-metre-long walkable garnet vein
- Garnet museum on several floors
- Garnet room with light and music
- Prospecting area for finding garnets yourself
- Free audio guide app in four languages
Permanent exhibitions
- Granatmuseum – The exhibition tells of the formation, properties and history of garnet, which was formerly also called carbuncle stone.
- Karfunkelstollen – A 300-metre-long tunnel leads past an underground lake and along garnet and pyrite veins.
- Granatzimmer – A room lined with garnet plates that uses light and music to show the stone's significance as a symbol of love.
- Founded
- 2008
- Operated by
- Pro Radenthein Orts- und Regionalentwicklung GmbH & Co KG
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €17 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €10free up to age 5 · Children aged 6 to 16; children celebrating their birthday get free admission with ID. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –10% discount for a degree of disability of 70% or more (April to October only). |
| Groups (20+ people) | €13 per personAdults in groups of 20 or more with a guided tour €13 per person; kindergarten groups €4 to €6.50 and school classes €8 to €11.50 per person. |
| Families | €39Family tickets €39 to €45 depending on composition (2 adults + 1 child or 1 adult + 3 children €39, 2 adults + 2 children €42, 2 adults + 3 children €45). |
| Prospecting area only | €9 |
| Museum + Sagamundo (combination ticket, adults) | €20.50Children €12 |
| Family combination ticket all-inclusive | €50 |
| Guided tour (surcharge per person) | €5Daily at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., from 10 people on site |
Prices apply from April to October. In winter (December to March), adults pay €10, children aged 6 to 16 €6.50 and family tickets cost €23 to €30; tickets on site only, no combination tickets or discounts. With the Kärnten Card or Millstätter See Card there is a 10% discount (April to October). Online tickets are recommended.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- 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
The entrance and toilets are barrier-free and most areas are accessible; the special exhibition on the second floor is an exception. Two disabled parking spaces directly in front of the building. Dogs are allowed in the outdoor area only.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €39 · Family tickets €39 to €45 depending on composition (2 adults + 1 child or 1 adult + 3 children €39, 2 adults + 2 children €42, 2 adults + 3 children €45). |
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly
In summer, there are fairy-tale tours on Mondays with the "Mountain Fairy Granatia". In the prospecting area, children find real garnets and may keep them. Kindergartens and schools can book guided tours.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Nockmobil NM 268
Nockmobil to the entrance; also bus stops Radenthein Postamt and Gasthaus Schusser. Train stations Spittal/Millstätter See (22 km) and Villach (29 km) with the Kärnten station shuttle.
By car
Parking available · 5-min walk to the entrance
Car parks P1 and P2 on the main road with three hours of free parking; two disabled parking spaces directly in front of the entrance.
- Accessible parking
Bicycle racks at the entrance; the R2B Seetal cycle route runs nearby; EV charging stations in Radenthein.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Shop with garnet jewellery and regional products; free water refill station. Dogs are not allowed in the museum, the tunnel and the shop.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (DE, EN, IT, NL) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours daily at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. (May to October, surcharge €5). Helmets are mandatory in the tunnel and the prospecting area; the temperature in the tunnel is 8 to 10 degrees. The audio guide app is free. |
