Montanmuseum Altböckstein

About the museum

Gold mining in the Gastein mountains is documented from 1342, when Archbishop Heinrich von Pyrnbrunn issued the first mining ordinance. At the end of the 15th century a large-scale mining operation developed, run by the Fugger family and the local mine owners Weitmoser, Zott and Strasser. The most productive year was 1557, with 830 kg of gold and 2,733 kg of silver. In 1525 the Salzburg Peasants' War began with the miners' oath sworn on a silver penny.

After an avalanche destroyed the old processing plant, the "Alte Pöck", the processing plant at Altböckstein was built in 1741. The Radhausberg trade union followed later (1864), then the takeover by Karl Imhof (1907) and operation by the Preussag company from 1938 to 1945. The greatest success was the driving of the tunnel that is today the Heilstollen (healing gallery), where warmth and radon were found suitable for therapeutic purposes.

The museum presents gold mining with exhibits and gold processing machines in the Salzstadl and the Säumerstall. The guided tour also takes in a model showroom with mining and smelting installations and a mining map of the Radhausberg from 1750. The Verein Montandenkmal Altböckstein looks after the preservation and renovation of the ensemble; the museum bears the Austrian Museum Seal of Quality.

Highlights

• History of gold mining from 1342 in the Salzstadl and Säumerstall
• Gold processing machines in the historic processing plant of 1741
• Model showroom with a mining map of the Radhausberg from 1750
• Guided tour of the gold ore processing plant (Tuesday and Thursday)
• Gold panning at the "Alte Pöck" (Friday and Sunday in summer)

Permanent exhibitions

• Goldbergbau in Gastein (Salzstadl und Säumerstall) – Exhibits and gold processing machines tell the story of gold mining in the Gastein valley since 1342.
• Modellschauraum – Models of mining installations and smelting workshops as well as an original mining map of the Radhausberg from 1750; viewed as part of the guided tour.

Founded

1981

Operated by

Verein Montandenkmal Altböckstein

Admission & discounts

With the Gastein Card, admission is €5 (children €3).

Accessibility

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Kids & families

Children pay €4 admission (guided tour €5). For gold panning at the "Alte Pöck", you can be equipped with boots, a washing pan and a vial.

Getting there & parking

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Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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