Bergwerk Gonzen

About the museum

Iron and manganese ore was mined in the Gonzen near Sargans for centuries, as a labyrinth of tunnels some 90 kilometers long bears witness. The main ores extracted were hematite, magnetite and hausmannite. Mining is documented in records from the late Middle Ages, and finds suggest it goes back even further. In 1919 the Eisenbergwerk Gonzen AG was founded; from 1949 the base tunnel was driven into the mountain at Vild, through which a mine railway carried the ore down to the valley. In 1966 the last miners left the mine.

Since 1983 the mine has been open as a show mine, run by the Verein Pro Gonzenbergwerk. On the tours, the “Gonzen-Express” travels about two kilometers through the base tunnel to the main station inside the mountain; longer tours continue via shafts, galleries and inclines to mining areas, silos and equipment. The temperature inside the mountain is about 13 degrees all year round.

Visitors with less time can see the small mining museum in the cavern at the entrance. It shows original objects from the mine, minerals and vehicles such as the electric gyro locomotive, and explains the miners’ work as well as the history and geology of the Gonzen. The museum area was expanded in 2017 and extends into the restaurant cavern.

Highlights

• Ride on the “Gonzen-Express” through the 2 km base tunnel
• Guided tours up to Gallery 5, 85 m above the main station
• Mining museum with original objects, minerals and an electric gyro locomotive
• Restaurant with a museum section in the cavern
• Tours ranging from the station ride to a two-day tour, including a Stein & Wein (stone and wine) program

Permanent exhibition

• Bergbaumuseum im Bergwerk Gonzen – The small museum shows the miners’ work with original objects from the mine, minerals, a model of the mine and vehicles such as the electric gyro locomotive; a film complements the visit.

Founded

1983

Operated by

Verein Pro Gonzenbergwerk

Admission & discounts

No admission price is published for the museum area. The general public tours for individuals (about 3.5 hours) cost CHF 30 for adults and CHF 25 for young people up to 18. The two-day tour costs CHF 250 including meals and overnight accommodation. Individuals pay in cash on the day of the tour, groups ten days in advance.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• 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 and restaurant are wheelchair accessible; the other facilities inside the mountain are not. Animals are not allowed inside the mountain.

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kids

• Family tours & workshops

Children aged 12 and up may enter the mountain accompanied by their parents, school classes from the upper grades; the vacation tours in summer and fall are also aimed at children from about age 10.

Getting there & parking

The mine is on the main road between Sargans and Trübbach in the hamlet of Vild.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant

Restaurant Bergwerk in the cavern, tel. +41 81 710 68 61; Tue 10:00–16:00, Wed–Sun 10:00–22:00, closed on Mondays.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 90 guests.

Auditorium with 90 seats, projector and internet connection (CHF 200 per event); the museum cavern (200 m², together with the restaurant) and the station cavern (600 m²) for talks, exhibitions and corporate events.

Plan your visit