Bergbaumuseum Schneeberg
Monteneve site of the Provincial Mining Museum, at 2,355 m: former San Martino miners’ village, permanent exhibition and mining district, reachable only on foot.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The first trace of mining activity at Monteneve dates from 1237, when a notary from Bolzano recorded the payment for some swords with good-quality silver from Monteneve. Around 1500 Tyrolean mining reached its peak: about 1,000 miners are said to have worked in 70 tunnels. Blende (zinc blende), the actual ore, could only be exploited from the 19th century onwards.
From 1870 the miners’ village of San Martino became a substantial settlement, with administrative buildings, housing, an inn, a church, a hospital with a mortuary, a primary school, a band, a theatre association and a Schützen company. At 2,355 m above sea level it is considered the highest permanent settlement in Europe, but winter lasts nine months, and supplying the village was costly and difficult.
In 1967 the mining company moved the employees and their families to Masseria in the Ridanna valley. After the definitive closure of the mine in 1985 the old village was abandoned and suffered repeated looting. Today a permanent exhibition in the former new forge, next to the mountain hut, tells the story of the mining district. The whole area, with collapsed tunnel entrances and heaps of debris, can be explored along educational trails.
Highlights
- Former miners’ village of San Martino at 2,355 m
- Permanent exhibition in the former new forge next to Rifugio Monteneve
- Mining district with educational trails and tunnel entrances
- Guided excursion “Avventura Monteneve” with small train and Karl tunnel
- Free audio guide to download for the ascent
Permanent exhibition
- Il distretto minerario di Monteneve – Everyday objects of the inhabitants, photographic documents and miners’ tools in the former new forge next to the mountain hut.
- Operated by
- Museo provinciale miniere – Alto Adige
Admission & discounts
| Scoprire il distretto minerario (one-day guided excursion) | €28Seniors and students €21, children €14, family €56, mini family €28, groups (min. 12 people) €21 |
|---|---|
| Avventura Monteneve (guided excursion with tunnels) | €34Seniors and students €26, children €17, family €68, mini family €34, groups (min. 15 people) €26 |
2026 prices for guided excursions; people with disabilities (with a companion) pay the senior rate. No ticket is listed for admission to the permanent exhibition alone.
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 site lies at 2,355 m and can only be reached on foot: about 2 hours from the Passo del Rombo road in Val Passiria, or about 4 hours from Ridanna/Masseria.
Kids & families
Only partly suitable for kidsRecommended for ages 6+
Guided excursions are recommended from age 6; the walking route is demanding for younger children.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Ponte di Monteneve
Bus “Timmel” to the “Ponte di Monteneve” stop on the Passo del Rombo road; from there walk along trails 31 and 29 to the village (height difference 690 m, about 2 hours).
By car
Parking available
Parking about 200 m before the Ponte di Monteneve.
From Merano along the SS44 to Moso in Passiria, then the SS44bis for 9.3 km towards the Passo del Rombo as far as the Ponte di Monteneve. From Ridanna you climb on foot (about 4 hours, 1,300 m of height difference) or, from July to mid-October, take the shuttle from Masseria to Casa Poschhaus.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Restaurant
The Rifugio Monteneve, open in summer, offers South Tyrolean cuisine and accommodation (tel. +39 0473 932900, summer only; info@schneeberghuette.it).
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| Good to know | Guide booking is required at least 1 day in advance (Scoprire il distretto minerario: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:15, from age 6; Avventura Monteneve: Saturdays and Sundays at 8:30, from age 6, minimum 8 participants, booking 2 days in advance). Suitable clothing and trekking shoes are required. Free audio guide to download, from Val Passiria up to the miners’ village. |
