Inquired: Why so many are fascinated by South Tyrol‘s show mines

The St. Ignaz adit of the former copper mine in Prettau was opened as a show mine in 1996. Here, visitors have the opportunity to ride a kilometer into the adit on a train, where a circular path starts, showcasing replicas of miners. Inside the mountain, there is also a climate tunnel where one can find relaxation and tranquility.

For half a millennium, copper was also mined in the Ahrntal. Today, the Bergbaumuseum Steinhaus is located in the Kornkasten, where guests can view the multimedia collection of the Enzenberg family. In addition, paintings, documents, mine maps, various wooden models, and books are also exhibited to bring the mining history back to life.

The longest-producing mine, which is almost completely preserved, can be found on the Schneeberg. Here, visitors gain a fascinating insight into the hard work of the miners who extracted zinc, lead, and silver here for 800 years.

Also highly recommended is a visit to the Villanders mine, with the 1,670-meter-long Elisabeth adit, where one can gain insight into the working conditions, mining methods, and production levels of the time. The extraction of Laas marble also dates back to the mid-19th century, a very resistant marble that is mined in the Jennwandmassiv. The Laas marble gained importance especially through the World Exhibition of 1873 and was subsequently used by numerous stone sculptors and architects. A very well-known work made of Laas marble, for example, is the monumental fountain of Pallas Athene in Vienna, but also the Heinrich Heine monument in New York or the Queen Victoria monument, which can be found in front of Buckingham Palace, were created from the famous stone.

Show mine Prettau
Hörmanngasse 38a
Prettau
Opening hours: April 1 to October 31, Tuesday to Sunday from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm

Mining Museum Kornkasten Steinhaus
Steinhaus 99
Opening hours: April 1 to October 31, Tuesday to Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm; December 26 to March 31, Tuesday to Thursday from 9 am to 12 pm and 2.30 pm to 6 pm, Friday to Sunday from 2.30 pm to 6 pm

Bergbauwelt Ridnaun Schneeberg
Maiern 48
Ridnaun
Opening hours: April 1 to November 9, Tuesday to Sunday from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm

Silver mine Villanders
Oberland 36
Villanders
Opening hours: April to November, Tuesday and Thursday guided tours at 10.30 am and 2 pm, Sunday at 10.30 am

Marmordorf Laas
Vinschgaustraße 52
39023 Laas
Various tours are offered at different times, for which no registration is required.