Schaukraftwerk Sportgastein
Historic power station from 1911 in Sportgastein that supplied the gold mine with electricity, with turbine demonstrations and mining models.
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About the museum
The power station in the Nassfeld, today's Sportgastein, was built in 1911 by Karl Imhof. It was meant to electrify the gold mining on the Radhausberg and used the water of the Bockhartsee lake. For its time, the plant was very advanced: two generator sets together delivered 350 kilowatts.
The turbines also drove a compressor from the New York firm Ingersoll, installed in 1914, of which only two or three are said to have been built worldwide. It supplied compressed air for the pneumatic hammers used in driving the tunnels. Striking is the drive belt of cowhide, about 20 meters long, glued together from pieces of about two meters each. The heavy machine had to be taken apart and brought from the railway station to the Nassfeld on horse-drawn carts.
Until 1944 the power station supplied the gold mine, and afterwards the Gastein healing tunnel. It was shut down in 1984 and later restored as a demonstration power station. Since no more water flows in, the turbine is driven by a direct-current motor during demonstrations. In the rear part of the hall, models from the gold mining era on the Radhausberg show, among other things, an inclined elevator, a tipping bridge, an ore stamp and a sawmill with a Venetian frame saw. The power station is looked after by the Verein Montandenkmal Altböckstein, which also runs the Montanmuseum in Böckstein.
Highlights
- 1911 power station with two generator sets
- Rare Ingersoll compressor from 1914
- 20-meter leather drive belt
- Turbine demonstration
- Models of gold mining on the Radhausberg
Permanent exhibition
- Schaukraftwerk mit Modellen zum Goldbergbau – The hall houses the historic power station with turbine and compressor, as well as models of gold mining on the Radhausberg.
- Founded
- 1912
- Operated by
- Verein Montandenkmal Altböckstein
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
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| Children & teens | freeAccording to the Gastein Tourism Association, children have free admission. |
| With Gastein Card | €4 |
Admission is free with the toll card for the Sportgastein toll road.
Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
The power station is in the Nassfeld in Sportgastein; admission is free with the toll card for the access road.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Good to know | The turbine is set in motion for demonstration purposes. |
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