Montafoner Bergbaumuseum Silbertal

About the museum

The Montafoner Bergbaumuseum (Montafon Mining Museum) has existed since 1996 and shares the old schoolhouse from the 1920s with the municipal office of Silbertal. In 2021 it celebrated its 25th anniversary. It is one of the Montafon museums run by the municipal association Stand Montafon.

The permanent exhibition revolves around mining in the Montafon in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. In the late Middle Ages, mainly silver, copper and iron were mined in the area around Silbertal, Kristberg and Bartholomäberg. At its centre is a small show tunnel with a mine cart and a miner; historical photographs and documents, traditional tools and ores from the mining area complete the collection.

The exhibition also sheds light on the social conditions of the miners and on legal-historical peculiarities such as the office of the mining judge. The museum sees itself as a complement to the Silberpfad (Silver Trail) and the Silberspielwelt (Silver Play World) on the Kristberg, as well as to the historic mine in Bartholomäberg, and is regarded as an example of family-friendly museum education. Changing special exhibitions are devoted to the history of the Silbertal valley.

Highlights

• Small show tunnel with a mine cart and a miner
• Silver, copper and iron mining in the Montafon of the 14th to 16th centuries
• Tools, ores, historical photographs and documents
• Social conditions of the miners and the office of the mining judge

Permanent exhibition

• Bergbau im Montafon – With a show tunnel, tools and ores, the permanent exhibition shows the mining of the 14th to 16th centuries around Silbertal, Kristberg and Bartholomäberg.

Founded

1996

Operated by

Stand Montafon (Montafoner Museen)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission in Silbertal is pay-what-you-wish (voluntary contribution). The combined ticket of the Montafon museums (€9, seniors €8) is valid for the museums in Schruns, Gaschurn, Silbertal and Bartholomäberg and is sold at the Heimatmuseum Schruns. Children and young people up to 18 years free. Free admission or discounts for, among others, members of the Heimatschutzverein Montafon, with the Montafon Brandnertal WildPass (multi-day summer pass), V-CARD (summer), ISIC, ICOM, Museumsbund Österreich, Kulturpass Vorarlberg, Starcard Vorarlberg, and with the Teacher Identity Card for compulsory-school teachers in Vorarlberg. With the Montafon guest card the combined ticket costs €7 instead of €9.

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

No information has been published on the accessibility of the building in Silbertal.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Kids’ birthday parties

The museum describes itself as an outstanding example of family-friendly museum education; there is a museum rally, and the Montafon museums offer children's birthday parties with a guided tour, juice and a snack on request.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located together with the municipal office in the old schoolhouse on Dorfstraße.

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