Silver mine Schwaz, Silver mine and underground museum in Schwaz, Austria
The Silver mine Schwaz is a walkable mine with underground tunnels extending roughly 800 meters deep into the mountain through original mineral deposits. The passages reveal the spaces where miners once extracted ore and show the geological formations they encountered.
In the late Middle Ages, this mine was the center of European silver production, making Schwaz the second-most powerful city in the region after Vienna. The wealth from the ore transformed the town and drew miners from across Europe.
Mining shaped the identity of Schwaz for centuries and remains woven into local life today. Visitors can see how deeply the town's character is connected to its relationship with the mountain.
Visitors travel by narrow-gauge rail into the depths, where the temperature stays cool and steady throughout the year. The paths are easy to walk and require no special equipment or fitness level.
The mine contains special healing galleries with air naturally free from pollen, offering relief for those with breathing issues. This therapeutic benefit of the underground environment was only recognized and promoted in recent decades.
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