Schaubergwerk Silberberg Davos
Historic lead and zinc mine above Davos Monstein with adits, shafts and ruins of the ore processing plant; can only be visited with a guide.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
On the Silberberg above the Schmelzboden, ore was mined in two periods: documented from 1477 to 1649, when the Tyrolean territorial lords held the mining rights, and again from 1805 to 1848. Galena and sphalerite were extracted. The name is misleading, because the silver content of the ore was negligible. In the Middle Ages, miners from Tyrol brought their know-how to the Landwasser valley, and the ore was transported as far as Hall and Rattenberg for smelting. In the 19th century a Davos mining company operated the works and smelted the ore in the nearby Schmelzboden. In total, around 1,000 tons each of lead and zinc were produced; 17 adits are known.
After the mine was abandoned in 1849, it fell into oblivion for almost a hundred years. At the suggestion of the then Davos resort director, Johannes Strub (1884–1967) made the installations accessible again through painstaking work and led visitors through the adits. From 1976 the Friends of Mining in Graubünden continued his work.
Since 2000 the Bergbauverein Silberberg Davos has looked after the mine installations exclusively. It restores and maintains adits, shafts and ruins, restored the Knappenhaus in 2001, and offers tours in summer, often combined with the Bergbauhaus in Monstein and the Bergbaumuseum Graubünden in Schmelzboden.
Highlights
- Walking through historic adits and shafts; temperature inside the mountain about 5 °C
- Ruins of the ore processing plant, including the Neuhoffnung stamp mill and washing building
- Knappenhaus restored in 2001
- Mining from two eras: late Middle Ages and early 19th century
- Hike down the Erzweg to the Schmelzboden
Permanent exhibition
- Bergwerksanlagen am Silberberg – The tour walks through adits and shafts and visits the ruins of the ore processing plant and the Knappenhaus; panels and explanations show how ore was extracted in two mining periods.
- Operated by
- Bergbauverein Silberberg Davos (BSD)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 10 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | CHF 5Participation from age 6. |
| Families | CHF 15 |
| Special half-day tour: mine and mining museum (groups up to 15 people) | CHF 150For clubs and apprentices CHF 130. Plus participation fee: adults CHF 15 (clubs and apprentices CHF 10), pupils up to age 16 CHF 5. |
| Special full-day tour: Monstein, mine and mining museum (groups up to 15 people) | CHF 250For clubs and apprentices CHF 200. Plus participation fee: adults CHF 20 (clubs and apprentices CHF 15), pupils up to age 16 CHF 5. |
Prices for the public Wednesday tour without guest card; with the Davos Klosters Guest Card, the registration fee is CHF 10. The PostBus ride from Glaris Ortolfi to Monstein is not included in the guest card.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- 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 route to the mine follows a forest road and secured rock paths, and the return is via the Erzweg with about 270 meters of descent; inside the adits the temperature is about 5 °C.
Kids & families
Only partly suitable for kidsRecommended for ages 6+
| Family ticket | CHF 15 |
|---|
Children aged 6 and up may take part; there is a family price. The tour involves longer hikes on mountain paths.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Monstein Dorf
For the Wednesday tour: local bus 301 from Postplatz Davos Platz (11:10) to Glaris Ortolfi, where you change to the PostBus to Monstein (arrival at Monstein Dorf 11:42). The return trip is individual, from the Schmelzboden or with the Rhaetian Railway (RhB) from Davos Monstein station.
The mine lies away from the road on the slope above the Schmelzboden and can only be reached on foot: from Monstein about an hour via a forest road and secured paths, or from the Bergbaumuseum in the Schmelzboden via the steeper Erzweg.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
On the public tour, bring your own food in a backpack.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 5.417 hrs |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The public Wednesday tour begins with a walk through the Walser settlement of Monstein and an introduction at the Bergbauhaus Monstein; then about an hour's hike to the mine, a tour of the adits and mining installations, and descent via the Erzweg to the Schmelzboden (maximum 15 participants; held in all weather except thunderstorms or heavy rain). Special tours last half a day (about 4.5 hours) or a full day (about 7.5 hours); a day trip with beer tasting in Monstein for ages 16 and up is also offered. Sturdy shoes and rain and cold protection are required. |
