Bergwerksmuseum
Municipal museum in the basement of the Realschule (secondary school) in Penzberg on pitch coal mining up to 1966, with replica mine galleries and a mine cinema.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Pitch coal was mined in Penzberg until 1966; the town owes its origin solely to this coal deposit. After the mine closed, former miners set up a museum in which they preserved their memories of working underground, along with their collection of tools, documents and photographs built up over the years.
The city of Penzberg later took over operation and redesigned the house into a modern museum, which opened in summer 2013. It is located in the basement of the back building of the Realschule.
The centerpiece consists of faithfully replicated gallery supports built by the miners. Together with mining tools, mine carts, underground telephones, signal stations, a simulated blast and a blind shaft from the mine, they convey working life underground and show the development of coal mining from hand extraction to fully mechanized operation. There are also miners' lamps, surveying instruments, maps, photographs and media stations; in the small mine cinema, a film about the Penzberg mine from 1929 is shown.
Highlights
- Faithfully replicated gallery supports built by the miners
- Simulated blast and blind shaft from the mine
- Collection of miners' lamps, surveying instruments and photographs
- Mine cinema with a 1929 film document
- Audio guide for children and teenagers
Permanent exhibitions
- Dauerausstellung: Beruf Bergmann – Replica gallery supports, tools, mine carts, underground telephones and a simulated blast show working life underground.
- Geschichte des Bergbaus in Penzberg – Exhibits, historical maps, models and media stations on coal formation, industrialization and the history of the Penzberg mine; the mine cinema shows a film from 1929.
- Founded
- 1968
- Operated by
- Stadt Penzberg
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Pupils, students, trainees and people with disabilities from GdB 50 |
| Children & teens | €2free up to age 6 · Children and young people aged 7 to 16 |
| Visitors with disabilities | €3From 50% disability |
| Students & apprentices | €3Pupils, students and trainees |
| Groups (10+ people) | €2.50 per personFrom 10 people, without guided tour |
| Families | €8Family card |
| Annual pass | €20 |
| Group tour (surcharge) | €70On top of admission; for school classes, admission and guided tour together for a flat €70 |
| Combi ticket with Penzberg Museum | €11Children aged 7–16 €5, family card €22 |
Free admission with the Bavarian Ehrenamtskarte (volunteer card); with the MuSeenKarte, €1.50 discount.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- 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
The museum is in the basement of the back building of the Realschule; access leads across the school courtyard and is not barrier-free.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 6 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €8 · Family card |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
Audio guide for children and teenagers, family tours in the 2026 jubilee year, family card (€8) and free admission up to age 6.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bahnhof Penzberg · 10-min walk
Hourly train connection Munich–Penzberg; on foot from the station it takes about 10 minutes via Philipp- and Karlstraße.
By car
Parking available
Visitor car park at the museum.
From Munich via the A 95, exit 8 Penzberg/Iffeldorf, then toward the city center; from Bad Tölz via the B 472 and St 2063. The access is from Karlstraße (on the left when driving into town, marked with a mine cart and the museum logo) via a short footpath and the school courtyard of the Realschule.
Get directionsAmenities & 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
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Audio guide for children and teenagers. Tours for registered groups and school classes by arrangement with the museum administration (museum@penzberg.de, phone 08856 813-163). In 2026, the jubilee year "60 years since the mine closed", there are additional family tours on selected Sundays at 11:30. |
