Bergbaumuseum Fohnsdorf

Montanmuseum Fohnsdorf

Useful Information

Location:	Fohnsdorf. (47°12'2.89"N, 14°40'53.12"E)
Open:	MAY to OCT daily 9-17. [2007]
Fee:	Adults EUR 5, School Pupils EUR 3, Military EUR 3. Groups (10+): Adults EUR 4, School Pupils EUR 2.50, Military EUR 2.50. [2007]
Classification:	Lignite Mine
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:
Guided tours:	L=160 m.
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Bergbaumuseum Fohnsdorf, Schacht 1, 8753 Fohnsdorf, Tel: +43-3573-4647, Tel: +43-3573-5231, Fax 03573-4647. E-mail: Gemeinde Fohnsdorf, 8753 Fohnsdorf, Tel: +43-3573-2431-234.
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

1670	beginning of mining east of Dietersdorf under Fürst Schwarzenberg.
1842	mine taken over by K.K. Montan-Aerar, coal used for iron furnaces.
1855	Graf Hugo Henkel von Donnersmark buys land and the right to mine it.
1857	start of Lorenz-Schacht und Josef-Schacht.
1869	mine bought by the Steirische Eisenindustriegesellschaft.
1870	railroad Zeltweg-Fohnsdorf-Antoni built.
1881	mine bought by the Österreichische Alpine-Montangesellschaft.
1882	start of Karl-August Schacht.
1884	start of Wodzicki-Schacht.
1913	two fuel driven locomotives with 8 horse powers.
1928	80 m high furnaces installed.
1940	water in the mine, 850 m deep, 750 liter/minute, 39 °C, 82 At pressure, in the Wodzicki Förderschacht.
1943	101 miners die in an explosion in the Karl-August Schacht.
1975	retraining centre built.
1977	part of the mine preserved as a monument.
1978	mine closed.
05-MAY-1983	Montanmuseum Fohnsdorf inaugurated.

Description

The lignite mine at Fohnsdorf was once the deepest lignite mine on earth. The mining museum shows numerous exhibits from this era, including pictures, documents and old tools and machinery. Impressive are various models of the mine and its machinery. A 160 m long mine tunnel is used as a show mine.