Bergbaumuseum Goberling

Useful Information

Location:	Goberling 118, 7461 Stadtschlaining. (47.361366, 16.284058)
Open:	All year daily 8-18, by appointment only. [2025]
Fee:	Adults EUR 2.50, School Pupils EUR 1.50, Seniors EUR 1.50. [2025]
Classification:	Replica Underground Mine Iron Mine Copper Mine Silver Mine Antimony Mine
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Bergbaumuseum Goberling, Goberling 118, 7461 Stadtschlaining, Tel: +43-3355-2201-30. info@stadtschlaining.bgld.gv.at
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

15. Jahrhundert	Eisen-, Kupfer- und Silbererze abgebaut.
1744	Entdeckung des Antimon.
19. Jahrhundert	Beginn des Antimonbergbaus.
1990	Antimonbergwerk geschlossen.

Geology

Description

The Bergbaumuseum Goberling (Goberling Mining Museum) is, as its name suggests, located in the village of Goberling. The show mine is a replica, but was built true to the original by former miners. It illustrates the cramped conditions and hardships of mining. The tunnel contains numerous original tools and aids used by miners, such as the carts for transporting ore and the drilling equipment for extracting ore in the "strike". Saint Barbara, the patron saint of miners, is also present.

As the name suggests, despite the replica tunnel, the whole thing is primarily a mining museum, and so there are also museum buildings with exhibitions on various topics. Tunnel plans and display boards explain the history of antimony mining. Numerous tools and small implements such as heart shovels, bar forks, hammers and mining picks bear witness to the physically demanding work of the miners. Models of historical mining lamps show the development of lighting. And a collection of minerals and ores from the region provides an insight into what was actually mined.

The region around Goberling has been a mining region for a long time. Iron, copper and silver ores have been mined here since the 15th century. Antimony ores were probably discovered in 1744, but were not mined until the middle of the 19th century. In fact, the ore may have been discovered, but nothing could be done with it. Processing was not possible because the necessary techniques had not yet been invented. Antimony compounds have been processed into powder since ancient times and used in medicine and cosmetics, even though it is actually toxic in small quantities. Antimony as an element was not discovered until 1783 by the Swedish scientist and mining engineer Anton von Swab. In the 19th century, alloys with lead and other metals were invented that had significantly better material properties. This made mining profitable, and the industry focused on antimony. From then on, people spoke of the Antimonbergwerk Goberling (Goberling antimony mine), which employed 160 miners in its heyday. It was the main employer of the region and was not closed until 1990.

The mining museum was subsequently founded by the municipality of Goberling and is still managed by it today. It probably also served to ease the transition for some miners and, of course, to preserve the tools, machinery and documents. There are no actual opening hours; you have to make a reservation in advance, but visits are possible every day of the year.