Salzbergwerk Berchtesgaden

About the museum

Salt has been produced in the Berchtesgadener Land since the Middle Ages: mining began on the Tuval near Schellenberg at the end of the 12th century and later also on the Gollenbach. In 1517, Prince-Provost Gregor Rainer had the Petersberg gallery opened – the beginning of today’s salt mine, which has operated without interruption ever since. The brine initially went to the Schellenberg saltworks, and from 1564 also to the Frauenreuth saltworks in Berchtesgaden.

When the prince-provostry came to an end, Berchtesgaden passed to Bavaria in 1816, and the mine became part of the state saltworks administration. Georg von Reichenbach built a brine pipeline about 29 kilometers long to Bad Reichenhall, through which Berchtesgaden brine flowed from December 1817. Selected guests were allowed to enter the mine as early as 1816, and from 1880 it was open to all visitors.

Today the mine is operated by Südwestdeutsche Salzwerke AG, which extracts salt by solution mining as brine. The visitor area was completely redesigned in 2007, along with a new visitor center. The roughly one-hour tour begins with a ride on the mine train deep into the mountain to the Kaiser-Franz-Sinkwerk, descends via two miners’ slides, and crosses the Spiegelsee lake by raft about 130 meters below the surface. An underground cinema on the formation of the Alps and a staged salt chamber round out the tour, during which visitors wear protective overalls.

Highlights

• Ride on the mine train into the mountain
• Two miners’ slides up to 40 meters long
• Raft ride across the Spiegelsee about 130 meters underground
• Underground cinema on the formation of the Alps and of salt
• Salt mine in continuous operation since 1517

Founded

1517

Operated by

Südwestdeutsche Salzwerke AG

Admission & discounts

Fixed prices; the ticket shop does not vary prices by time slot. Buying online with your preferred date and time is recommended; online tickets are non-refundable. 10% discount with the BGL Tagesticket Bus & Bahn (day ticket). Combination tickets with the Kehlsteinhaus, Königssee, Jennerbahn, or Berchtesgadener Advent for groups of 20 or more at the ticket office.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: not available
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Not suitable for wheelchairs because of stairs and narrow emergency exits; walkers are not permitted. People with walking impairments only with a companion, at the discretion of the staff on site. About 800 meters on foot underground; the slides can be bypassed via stairs. Dogs are not allowed.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly: not available

Visits are possible at any age; children under 13 only when accompanied by adults. Underground: mine train, wooden slides (can be bypassed), and a raft ride. Strollers and backpack carriers cannot be taken along; baby carriers are available to borrow. Children up to 3 years free.

Getting there & parking

The BGL day ticket gives a 10% discount on admission.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

Restaurant Bergschänke in the former machine building (up to 110 seats, terrace on the Ache), snack bar and salt shop in the visitor center. Free Wi-Fi in front of the entrance.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Corporate events, Christmas parties, anniversaries, and product presentations above and below ground, including in the Kaiser-Franz-Sinkwerk; can be booked exclusively with Restaurant Bergschänke outside opening hours. Dinner in the salt mine and the Advent event “Stade Zeit im Berg.”

Plan your visit