Bergbaumuseum Achthal

About the museum

On the Teisenberg between Teisendorf, Anger and Inzell, iron ore was mined for several centuries and smelted in the Achthal – an early industrial landscape amid a farming environment, which belonged to the Archbishopric of Salzburg until 1816. Keeping the memory of this alive was the aim of Sepp Winkler, who in the late 1970s had the old Barbarafahne (St Barbara banner) restored together with former miners. In 1983 the Förderverein Bergbaumuseum Achthal was founded and initially set up a small local-history room with three rooms in the former Amtshaus.

The collection grew steadily, and around 1999/2000 it developed into a museum that was expanded according to a scholarly concept as a specialist museum for ore mining in Bavaria. It is housed in the listed former administrative building of the Eisengewerkschaft, the Verweseramtshaus; next to it stands the Knappenkapelle Maria Schnee (miners' chapel). The operator today is the Markt Teisendorf, while the museum's operation is still organised by the volunteer Förderverein.

After around 20 years the permanent exhibition was fundamentally renewed. The house closed in October 2021, the works were delayed by a construction halt, and in May 2025 the museum reopened under the name “Eisenreich”. Across roughly 500 square metres in 25 thematically organised rooms, it now covers mining and iron smelting, wood, charcoal and beer, and the lives of the people who worked here. Storytelling figures, digital animations and hands-on stations appeal especially to children and young people; also on display are products of Achthal cast iron and a mine plan from 1623.

Highlights

• New permanent exhibition “Eisenreich” (since 2025) in 25 rooms
• Listed Verweseramtshaus of the Eisengewerkschaft
• The museum's oldest mine plan, from 1623
• Art castings and building components from Achthal production
• Storytelling figures, media and hands-on stations
• Knappenkapelle Maria Schnee next door

Permanent exhibition

• Eisenreich – Bergbau und Eisenverhüttung im Achthal – Newly designed permanent exhibition in 25 rooms on 400 years of ore mining on the Teisenberg, iron smelting, wood, charcoal and beer, and the lives of miners and smelter workers.

Operated by

Markt Teisendorf (Träger); Betrieb: Förderverein Bergbaumuseum Achthal e. V.

Admission & discounts

Free admission with ICOM card, Chiemgau-Card and for the press.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations

The new permanent exhibition places a focus on children and young people, with storytelling figures, digital animations and hands-on stations.

Getting there & parking

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Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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