Bartholomäberg

Useful Information

Location:	Knappagruaba 3, 6781 Bartholomäberg. A14 exit Bludenz/Montafon, Montafonerstraße L188 to Schruns. Start in the village Bartholomäberg at the church, Bergknappenweg (miners walk) is signposted. 45 min walk to the mine. (47.098033, 9.916298)
Open:	Bergknappenweg: no restrictions. Mine: all year after appointment. [2025]
Fee:	Bergknappenweg: free. Mine: Adults EUR 10, Children (6-16) EUR 5. [2025]
Classification:	Iron Mine Silver Mine
Light:	Electric Light
Dimension:	T=8 °C.
Guided tours:	L=115 m, D=30 min, Min=4.
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Historisches Bergwerk Bartholomäberg, Knappagruaba 3, 6781 Bartholomäberg, Tel: +43-664-8403596. Obmann Martin Vallaster, Tel: +43-664-19-13-21-4. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

814	mining first mentioned in a document belonging to Ludwig der Fromme.
820	mining mentioned again.
1300	increase of mining activities.
1550	mining activities decrease in the Montafon, due to cheaper imports of silver, gold, and iron ore from the newly discovered continent America.
1600	mining ends.
1978	Bartholomäberg geological nature trail opened.
2003	show mine opened to the public.

Geology

At Bartholomäberg very complex poly-metallic ores were mined. Common are the copper ores azurite (chessylite) and malachite, and the iron ore siderite. There were natural deposits of gold and silver alloys which are rather rare in Europe.

Description

Bartholomäberg is a village in the Montafon valley, high up on the southern slope above the town of Schruns. The village actually consists of farmsteads scattered across the hillside, a scattered settlement typical of such high-altitude villages characterised by agriculture. And yet there are also a number of mining relics here. These have been made accessible to the public with a themed trail and an exhibition mine. As the roads to the farms are for residents only, you have to hike to see the sights.

The Bergknappenweg Bartholomäberg trail starts at the Litzkapelle Schruns chapel (685 m above sea level) and leads 4.73 km to the exhibition mine (1,338 m above sea level). With an elevation gain of 650 metres, many people will probably not be able to complete the trail in the specified 2 hours. It is signposted and has stations on various aspects of local mining and the geology of the Alps. Eleven information boards with explanations and pictures provide the necessary background knowledge. The name Bergknappenweg refers to historical paths used by miners on their way to the mines and to transport the ore. It is not known whether this path is actually a Bergknappenweg, but the name has nevertheless become established among the local population. If this path is too short for you, you can take an extension that leads up to Rellseck (1,492 metres above sea level). There are another five information boards here.

The Bartholomäberg Historical Mine is actually the St. Anna Tunnel, which was probably dug in the 15th century in search of iron ore. It is located in the Knappagruaba, an area where many mining relics can be found. Only about 115 metres have been developed and are even electrically lit. Nevertheless, visitors are given helmet lamps because the lamps are very far apart, in order to give visitors an idea of what it was like in a medieval mine. The helmets are particularly important because the medieval tunnel is rather low and narrow, and the lowest point is only 1.20 m high, so anyone who cannot bend down should not visit the mine. Those who only want to visit the mine and cannot walk the miners' trail can start at the church in Bartholomäberg, where it is easy to find a car park (1,087 metres above sea level).

Another interesting themed trail is the Bartholomäberg Geological Educational Trail. It starts at the church in Bartholomäberg, is 16 km long and has an elevation difference of 1,000 m, making it a day trip. The trail is well signposted, has numerous information boards, and there is also an audio guide that can be downloaded free of charge. It overlaps with the Miners' Trail, so it can also be used there. The main theme here is the 1,000 million years during which these mountains were formed, but of course mining is also explained here. A brochure is available at the Montafon Local History Museum for a nominal fee of €1.