The Altböckstein Mining Museum (Montanmuseum Altböckstein) in Bad Gastein, Austria, is a captivating open-air and indoor museum dedicated to the rich mining history of the Gastein Valley, particularly its gold and silver extraction from 1342 to 1945. Located in the historic mining settlement of Altböckstein, just south of Bad Gastein in the Böckstein district, the museum brings to life the region’s centuries-long tradition of mining through preserved buildings, artifacts, and interactive exhibits. Nestled in the Hohe Tauern National Park, it offers a unique blend of cultural heritage, industrial history, and scenic beauty, making it a must-visit for history enthusiasts and families exploring the Gastein Valley.
Location: Karl-Imhof-Ring 12, 5645 Böckstein, Bad Gastein, Salzburg,
Austria, approximately 1,000 meters above sea level in the Hohe Tauern
National Park.
Established: Museum opened in 1981 in the renovated
Salzstadl (salt barn), with the historic settlement dating to 1741.
Focus: Gold and silver mining history of the Gastein Valley (1342–1945),
including tools, machinery, and the miners’ way of life.
Key
Features: Open-air museum with historic buildings, Salzstadl Museum with
mining exhibits, Samerstall with gold processing displays, and the Maria
vom Guten Rat miners’ church.
Cultural Status: Bears the Austrian
Museum Quality Seal; the Altböckstein settlement is under monumental
protection since 1977.
Proximity to Attractions: 2 km from Bad
Gastein Waterfall, 1.5 km from Böckstein Train Station, 2.5 km from
Gastein Museum, and near the Gasteiner Heilstollen (healing tunnel).
Contact: +43 660 663 22 16, info@montanmuseum-boeckstein.at,
www.montanmuseum-boeckstein.at.
The Gastein Valley’s mining history began in 1342 under Archbishop
Heinrich von Pyrnbrunn, who established the first mining regulations.
Gold and silver extraction peaked in 1557, yielding 830 kg of gold and
2,733 kg of silver, driven by influential families like the Fuggers of
Augsburg and local Gewerken (mining entrepreneurs) such as Weitmoser,
Zott, and Strasser. The Altböckstein settlement, established in 1741,
was built to support mining operations after a devastating avalanche
destroyed the earlier “Alte Pöck” site. Key developments included:
1616: Archbishop Markus Sittikus expanded mining operations.
1741: Construction of the Altböckstein processing facility, including
the Salzstadl (built 1743 as a carpentry workshop and later a salt
storage barn) and Säumerstall (1745, for packhorses).
1764–1765:
Construction of the Maria vom Guten Rat Wallfahrtskirche (pilgrimage
church) to serve miners.
1782: Archbishop Hieronymus Colloredo
relocated the mining administration to Böckstein.
1907: Engineer Dr.
Karl Imhof modernized operations, introducing one of Europe’s first
alternating current generators at the Nassfeld show power plant.
1938–1945: The German Preussag AG operated the mines, discovering radon
gas in the Paselstollen (1940), now used for therapeutic purposes in the
Gasteiner Heilstollen.
Mining declined in the 19th and 20th
centuries due to unprofitable investments, and commercial gold mining
ceased after 1945. In the late 1970s, the Altböckstein settlement faced
demolition, but Hofrat Dr. Peter Sika (1918–1992), a professor at
Montanuniversität Leoben, led the Arbeitskreis Montandenkmal
Altböckstein to secure its protection in 1977. The museum opened in
1981, preserving the settlement’s legacy and earning the Austrian Museum
Quality Seal for its educational value.
The Altböckstein Mining Museum is a unique blend of an open-air
museum and indoor exhibitions, centered around a preserved 18th-century
mining settlement. Its key components include:
Open-Air Museum:
The historic settlement includes buildings from 1741–1782, such as:
Waschhaus (Washhouse): Used for laundry and communal activities.
Säumerstall (Packhorse Stable, ~1745): Housed horses for salt and ore
transport over the Tauern passes; now displays a functional model of a
gold processing plant.
Direktionsgebäude (Director’s Building):
Administrative headquarters.
Werkmeisterhaus (Foreman’s House):
Residence for the mining overseer.
Kolm (Depot): Storage for mining
supplies.
Colloredohaus: Named after Archbishop Hieronymus Colloredo,
a historic residence.
Pfarrhof (Vicarage): Supported the nearby
church.
These buildings, constructed with stone and timber, reflect
the functional yet sturdy architecture of a mining community. The
Wäscherhaus (1782) features a stone ground floor and a timber-block
upper story.
The settlement’s layout along the Böcksteiner
Bundesstraße evokes the miners’ daily life, with paths connecting homes,
workplaces, and the church.
Salzstadl Museum:
Housed in the
1743 Salzstadl (salt barn), renovated in 1981, this indoor exhibition
showcases mining artifacts from 1342 to 1945, including:
Tools,
lamps, and equipment used by gold and silver miners.
A 1750 mining
map of the Radhausberg.
Exhibits on the Fugger family’s role and the
1557 mining peak.
The museum highlights the labor-intensive process
of ore extraction and the economic impact of mining on the Gastein
Valley.
Samerstall Exhibition:
Features a working model of a
gold ore processing plant, demonstrating historical techniques like ore
washing and stamping.
Offers hands-on gold panning (Goldwaschen) from
June 12 to September 11, 2024, on Wednesdays and Fridays (10:00 AM–2:00
PM) at the “Alte Pöck” site behind Hotel Evianquelle. Cost: €6.00 per
person (€4.00 with Gastein Card), including equipment rental.
Maria vom Guten Rat Church:
A small Baroque pilgrimage church built
in 1764–1765, dedicated to miners. Its simple yet elegant facade and
interior, with a modest altar, reflect the community’s spiritual life.
Located within the settlement, it’s a highlight of guided tours.
Additional Sites:
Schaukraftwerk Nassfeld (Show Power Plant): In
Sportgastein, this restored hydroelectric plant, built by Dr. Karl
Imhof, powered mining operations with water from the Bockhartsee. It
features a rare Ingersoll New York compressor and one of Europe’s first
AC generators. Open for visits with the same schedule as gold panning.
Mineraliensuche (Mineral Search): At Ullmannlehen (Böcksteiner
Bundesstraße 80), visitors can search for minerals with a 30–45-minute
guided tour, keeping their finds. Cost: €6.00 per child (€4.00 with
Gastein Card).
The Altböckstein Mining Museum is easily accessible from Bad Gastein
and offers a range of visitor experiences.
Location and
Transport:
Address: Karl-Imhof-Ring 12, 5645 Böckstein, Bad Gastein.
By Car: 2 km south of Bad Gastein via Böcksteiner Bundesstraße. Parking
is available near Ullmannwiese or the museum (direction Böckstein).
By Public Transport: From Bad Gastein Train Station (1.5 km), take
Postbus Line 550 (every 30 minutes) to Böckstein Ortsmitte, directly
outside the museum. The station connects to Salzburg and Klagenfurt via
Railjet/IC trains.
By Foot: Reachable via scenic Achepromenaden
trails, such as the Kaiserin-Elisabeth-Promenade, a 20–30-minute walk
from Bad Gastein’s center.
Distance from Attractions: 2 km from Bad
Gastein Waterfall, 2.5 km from Grand Hotel de l’Europe, 100 meters from
Colloredohaus, and 180 meters from Maria vom Guten Rat Church.
Opening Hours (2025):
Museum: May 9 to September 29, 2025, daily
(except Mondays) from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM.
Guided Tours: Tuesdays and
Thursdays at 3:00 PM, focusing on the gold processing plant. Cost: €6.00
per person.
Gold Panning: June 12 to September 11, 2025, Wednesdays
and Fridays, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM, at Alte Pöck.
Mineral Search: Check
with Gottfried Weinig (+43 676 303 71 27) for 2025 schedule.
Admission:
Adults: €4.00 (€3.00 with Gastein Card).
Children:
€1.00.
SalzburgerLand Card: Free unlimited entry.
Guided Tours:
€6.00.
Gold Panning: €6.00 (€4.00 with Gastein Card).
Mineral
Search: €6.00 per child (€4.00 with Gastein Card).
Contact:
Phone: +43 660 663 22 16 (general inquiries), +43 6434 2398 (mautstelle
for tours).
Email: info@montanmuseum-boeckstein.at.
Website:
www.montanmuseum-boeckstein.at.
The Altböckstein Mining Museum is praised for its immersive
journey into Gastein’s mining past, earning a 100% recommendation on
HolidayCheck (based on 1 review). Visitors describe it as “touching
history” and a “fascinating family outing.” Key aspects include:
Highlights:
Historic Settlement: Walking through the
18th-century village, with its stone and timber buildings, feels
like stepping back in time. The Säumerstall’s model processing plant
and the church’s quaint beauty are standout features.
Exhibits:
The Salzstadl Museum’s artifacts, including miners’ tools and a 1750
Radhausberg map, vividly illustrate the labor and wealth of the gold
rush era.
Interactive Activities: Gold panning at Alte Pöck is a
hit with families, offering hands-on fun and a chance to keep small
finds. The mineral search at Ullmannlehen appeals to geology
enthusiasts.
Guided Tours: The Tuesday/Thursday tours, covering
the gold processing plant and model showroom, are informative, with
guides sharing stories of miners’ lives and the Fugger family’s
influence.
Scenic Setting: The museum’s location amid the Hohe
Tauern’s mountains, near the Gasteiner Ache, enhances its appeal,
with views of the Radhausberg and nearby Heilstollen.
Challenges:
Limited Hours: The afternoon-only schedule (2:30–5:30
PM) and Monday closures may inconvenience some visitors. Gold
panning and mineral searches are seasonal and weather-dependent.
Accessibility: The open-air settlement involves uneven terrain,
which may challenge those with mobility issues. The indoor museums
are more accessible.
Language: Tours are primarily in German,
though English materials or guides may be available upon request.
Small Scale: Some visitors expecting a larger museum may find the
exhibits compact, though the settlement’s authenticity compensates.
Visitor Tips:
Combine with a visit to the Gasteiner
Heilstollen (1 km away) or Bad Gastein Waterfall (2 km) for a full
day.
Bring sturdy shoes for the open-air paths and warm clothing,
as Böckstein can be cooler than Bad Gastein.
Use the Gastein Card
(available at hotels) for discounted admission and transport.
Check the museum website or contact the Bad Gastein tourism office
(+43 6432 3393 560, badgastein@gastein.com) for 2025 updates.
Arrive early for gold panning to secure equipment, especially during
peak summer (July–August).
Nearby Amenities:
Dining:
Gasthaus Evianquelle (200 meters) offers traditional Austrian
cuisine.
Attractions: Schmerzensmannkapelle (100 meters),
Kraftwerk Böckstein (150 meters), and the Maria vom Guten Rat Church
(180 meters) are within walking distance.
Transport: Böckstein
Ortsmitte bus stop is directly outside, with Postbus Line 550
connecting to Bad Gastein and Sportgastein.
The Altböckstein Mining Museum is a vital link to the Gastein Valley’s identity as a historic mining hub, showcasing the ingenuity and hardship of miners from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Its preservation, thanks to Peter Sika’s efforts, highlights the community’s commitment to safeguarding its heritage against modern development pressures. The museum’s connection to the Gasteiner Heilstollen, where radon therapy continues a mining-related legacy, underscores the region’s blend of industrial and therapeutic history. Exhibits on the Fugger family and the 1557 gold peak connect Altböckstein to broader European economic history, while the Maria vom Guten Rat Church reflects the spiritual life of miners. The museum’s Austrian Museum Quality Seal affirms its educational excellence, making it a cornerstone of cultural tourism in Salzburg.