Silberbergwerk Schwaz
Visitor mine in the Sigmund-Erbstollen: ride the mine train 800 metres into the mountain and spend 90 minutes exploring medieval silver mining.
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About the museum
In the late Middle Ages, Schwaz was the largest mining town in Central Europe. Silver and copper from the mountains around the Falkenstein made the town, with some 20,000 inhabitants around 1500, the second-largest in the Habsburg Empire after Vienna, and trading families such as the Fuggers financed themselves through Schwaz silver. The mine itself calls itself the "Mother of All Mines"; at its peak up to 10,000 miners worked there.
Today's visitor tunnel, the Sigmund-Erbstollen, goes back to tunnels from around 1500. Ore mining ended in 1957, after which dolomite was still extracted; all mining in the mountain was discontinued in 1999. As early as 1989 the tunnel was prepared and opened to visitors as a show mine.
Today a mine train carries guests about 800 metres into the mountain. There, a guided tour of around 90 minutes explains the hard life of the miners, the work inside the mountain and the influence of the Augsburg merchant family Fugger. A constant 12 degrees prevails inside the mountain. The site also includes a silver shop and the restaurant Knappenkuchl.
Highlights
- Mine train ride 800 metres into the mountain
- 90-minute guided tour through medieval silver and copper mining
- Sigmund-Erbstollen from the heyday of Schwaz mining
- Insight into the life of the miners and the role of the Fuggers
- Silver shop with jewellery, minerals and silver thalers
- Restaurant Knappenkuchl on site
Permanent exhibition
- Führung durch das Schwazer Silberbergwerk – Around 90 minutes underground: mine train ride into the Sigmund-Erbstollen and explanations of the miners' daily life and the significance of Schwaz silver.
- Founded
- 1989
- Operated by
- Schwazer Silberbergwerk-Besucherführung GmbH
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €23 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €20Seniors aged 60 and over, students and apprentices |
| Children & teens | €15free up to age 4 · Children aged 5 to 14 €15; young people aged 15 to 18 €19. |
| Seniors | €20From age 60. |
| Students & apprentices | €20Students and apprentices. |
| Groups (20+ people) | €20 per personAdults, groups of 20 or more; advance reservation online or by phone recommended. |
| Families | €522 adults and 1 child; each additional child €12. |
| Young people (15–18 years) | €19 |
| Youth groups of 20 or more (per person) | €16 |
| Children's groups of 20 or more (per person) | €12 |
| Single parent with child (1 adult, 1 child) | €32Each additional child €12. |
2026 prices. Small children aged 0 to 4 have free admission. Online booking is possible (according to the mine, up to 24 hours before the appointment).
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €52 · 2 adults and 1 child; each additional child €12. |
Family, children's and single-parent-with-child tickets; children aged 0 to 4 free.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
City bus line 1 (every 30 minutes) or the ÖBB bus (every 60 minutes, from 8:20 a.m.) goes directly to the mine; from the town centre, lines 1 and 2 run (together every 15 minutes).
By car
Parking available · 50 m to the entrance
Two car parks (car park 1 and 2) on Bergwerksstraße; a paved footpath of around 50 metres leads to the mine.
From the Schwaz motorway exit towards Wörgl, after about 1 km on the B 171 turn right into Bergwerksstraße.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
Restaurant Knappenkuchl on site; silver shop of around 150 m² with silver jewellery, gemstones and minerals.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Visits only as part of the guided tour (about 90 minutes including changing rooms); the mine train holds around 40 people. A constant 12 degrees prevails inside the mountain – sturdy footwear and warm clothing are recommended. Dogs and other animals are not allowed. Pregnant women are advised to take part only up to the seventh month; people with severe musculoskeletal problems should forgo the tour. |
