Arthurstollen, Historical tunnel in Sankt Johann im Pongau, Austria
The Arthurstollen is a mining tunnel stretching about 5 kilometers through a mountain ridge between Sankt Johann im Pongau and Mühlbach am Hochkönig. The passage features preserved wooden platforms and support columns that show traces of ancient mining work.
The site began as a Bronze Age copper mine more than 3,700 years ago, making it one of the oldest mines in the Eastern Alps. Later in 1907, the modern tunnel was expanded for water management and to serve an industrial facility.
The tunnel stands as a protected monument representing the region's deep connection to mining, showing how this activity shaped local communities and their way of life.
The tunnel features a wooden platform system that was preserved for centuries by copper-rich water flowing through it, which helped protect the structure from decay. This natural preservation means you can see the original wooden elements relatively intact today.
The tunnel was later repurposed to direct water through the mountain for electricity generation and to supply a 1920s industrial castle. This dual use shows how ancient mining structures were transformed to serve modern needs.
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