Tyrolean Museum of Mining and Metallurgy

Copper and silver have been used for times immemorial….Tyrol’s history traces copper and silver mining back to the Bronze Age (with its heydays in the 15th and 16th century: Silbertaler).

Visit the Museum of Mining and Metallurgy in Brixlegg

The local mining entrepreneurs became rich; they had to deliver the silver to the sovereign princes in Hall at the mint, the copper they were free to sell. They had proud fortresses converted into comfortable castles: Veit. Jakob Tänzl lived in Schloss Tratzberg, Sigmund Fieger resided in Schloss Matzen.

The tour starts with an overall perspective of the Tyrol’s geological situation substantiated with fossil documents and crystal specimens.

Prehistoric finds document the transition to the beginnings of mining activity. Representations from the Schwaz mining log and Agricola’s drawings depict the perfect mining and smelting industry of the 15th century.

An approximately 200 year old original Spurnagelhunt (wooden dram, which miners used for bringing out the ore) is the jewel of the exhibition. And more:

Geology, fossils, minerals
Prehistoric and early history. From Stone Age to Roman Empire - 6000 years Brixlegg
Agricola’s drawings, Schwaz mining log and pit maps
Original finds such as Grubenhunt (wooden mining cart), mallets & irons, ore troughs and much more.
Ore preparation, weighing scales, weights