„Mythos Gold“ Putzenhof

Tauerngoldausstellung

Useful Information

Location:	Mitteldorf 9, 9843 Großkirchheim. (46.964915, 12.897059)
Open:	20-JUN to 10-OCT Mon, Wed-Sun 10-18. [2025]
Fee:	Adults EUR 6, Children EUR 4. [2025]
Classification:	Gold Mine
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:
Guided tours:
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	„Mythos Gold“, Mitteldorf 9, 9843 Großkirchheim, Tel: +43-664-24-29-054. hotel.sauper@aon.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

1570-1590

Melchior Putz von Kirchheimegg builds the house.

Geology

The gold deposits in the Tauern mountain range are a result of the Alpine orogeny, the formation of the Alps. In the center of the Alps the uplift has the highest amount and so overlying limestones were eroded and there is no older rock from below on the surface. This zone of crystalline rocks is dubbed the Tauernfenster (Tauern window) as it allows a glimpse into the older geology like a window. It is 160 km long and 30 km wide and stretches from the Brenner pass in the west to the Katschberg pass in the east.

The rocks in this are Precambrian to Palaeozoic gneisses and crystalline schists, as well as isolated Mesozoic marbles. There are metamorphic deep-sea volcanic rocks, ophiolite like prasinite and green schist, and metamorphic sediments. The fact that they are older is one reason for their difference, many rocks of this area were originally deposited as sedimentary rocks and there were even limestones. But there were several metamorphoses, the last during the Alpine orogeny was caused by the massive rock layers which were pushed on top. At this early phase the rocks were pushed down and at one point there were 10 km of overlying rock which caused pressure from 1.9 to 2.2 GPa and temperatures from 600 to 630 °C. There are four massive gneiss cores which formed through metamorphosis of granites that penetrated the older overburden in the late Carboniferous to early Permian periods.

The metamorphism cause the formation of 220 different types of minerals, including rock crystals and emeralds. But there are also deposits of silver and gold. Probably the most important deposit of gold is located in the Tauern area and was mined in several valleys and even high up in the mountains.

Description

"Mythos Gold" is also known as the Tauerngoldausstellung (Tauern Gold Exhibition) and is located in the Putzenhof, a historic building in Großkirchheim. The Putzenhof’s connection to gold is based on a legend.

There was once a magnificent treasure trove of gold in the Putzenhof. It was guarded by a fearsome black dog which had a golden key in its mouth. One day, a few brave men managed to snatch the key from the dog and carry off the treasure. For many years, the treasure was considered lost. But the gold treasure was under a spell that one day the gold would return to Putzenhof. When that time came, the treasure would shine in new splendour and captivate people from near and far.

The building was constructed by Melchior Putz von Kirchheimegg between 1570 and 1590. He was the most successful gold miner in the southern Tauern mountains. Today, it contains holiday apartments and a restaurant, which is only open in summer. The Gold Museum can also be visited during the restaurant’s opening hours. The museum is a truly impressive collection covering all aspects of gold mining in the Tauern mountains. In addition to the working and living conditions of the miners, the political and economic situation and the use of gold are also presented. The building, constructed from natural stone, provides a unique backdrop.