Erzberg mine, Open-pit iron ore mine and mountain summit in Eisenerz, Austria.
The Erzberg mine operates as a massive terraced open-pit extraction site on a 1466-meter mountain, producing approximately 3.2 million tonnes of iron ore annually from reserves estimated at 235 million tonnes.
Iron extraction at Erzberg has continued for over 1300 years since Roman times, transitioning from small-scale surface mining to underground operations in the 16th century before becoming Austria's largest open-pit mine.
The mining community of Eisenerz developed cultural traditions tied to industrial heritage, with local festivals celebrating the region's mining history and the annual Erzberg Rodeo motorcycle race attracting international participants.
Visitors can access the mine through guided tours that include underground tunnel visits, historical mining demonstrations, and views of the terraced landscape, with transportation available from nearby Graz and Vienna.
Erzberg uniquely combines active iron ore extraction with extreme sports tourism, hosting the challenging Erzberg Rodeo that tests motorcycle riders on the mine's rugged terraced slopes.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
