Eisenerz: Erzberg, Museums and Alpine Scenery

Eisenerz combines mining history with historic architecture, museums and the scenery around Lake Leopoldsteiner See. Erzberg represents the region’s mining heritage; the old town and its collections reveal other sides of the town. The lake, hiking trail and via ferrata each offer something different. If you’re looking for a hotel in Eisenerz, you can first consider whether you’re especially interested in Erzberg, the historic buildings or the scenery.

Erzberg and Mining History

Erzberg is the largest open-pit mine in Central Europe and the most significant ore deposit in the Alps. It is considered a symbol of industrialisation and is a central part of the Iron Road. Hauly tours introduce guests to Erzberg: they travel right through the open-pit mine in a converted heavy-duty truck with 1,217 hp. A tour of the show mine, on the other hand, takes visitors into Erzberg’s underground labyrinth and offers insights into the working lives of miners, both past and present. These experiences thus offer a choice between a ride through the open-pit mine and a look at the underground world.

The Oswaldirücken open-air exhibition is also located right at Erzberg. Its grounds are at an elevation of 878 metres and invite visitors to take a stroll.

Old Town, Schichtturm and Fortified Church

The old town of Eisenerz is characterised by the houses of former Radmeister (ironmasters), with their arcaded courtyards and sgraffito decoration. The history of the Schichtturm began with a decision made in 1581: the Radmeister decided to build a watchtower, and the Schichtturm was subsequently built as an elaborate Renaissance-style tower. Its architecture thus points to the history of the Radmeister in Eisenerz.

Another striking landmark is St. Oswald’s fortified church, surrounded by its Tabor complex. It is the largest and most significant fortified church complex in Styria and one of the few in Austria to have been preserved in its entirety. Its history dates back to 1190. The exhibition in the fortified church presents the lives, work and traditions of miners.

Museums: Mining and Everyday History

Awarded the Austrian Museum Quality Seal, the Eisenerz Town Museum is located in the historic centre of the mining town. It documents the changing relationship between Erzberg and Eisenerz. The Museum in the Old Town Hall of Eisenerz focuses, among other things, on precious iron blooms and minerals, the Eisenerz Wunderstufe, and rarities from mining and local cultural history. The exhibits also include the Tendler puppet theatre.

At the Nativity Scene Museum, the displays combine the story of the birth of Jesus with the region’s mining traditions. The 1987 panoramic nativity scene also depicts scenes from public life and the town’s history. The Austrian Post and Telegraph Museum explores the development of postal and telegraph services from the imperial era to the present day. It is housed in historic rooms in the Kammerhof, a former hunting lodge of Emperor Franz Joseph I.

At the Salzer Tannery Museum, original, working tannery machines from the 1930s illustrate how leather was made. The museum also has a water wheel that has been put back into operation: it was once used in leather production and now generates electricity. The exhibits illustrate the shift from traditional craft use to the water wheel’s present-day use.

Lake Leopoldsteiner See and Outdoor Trails

Lake Leopoldsteiner See is a pristine Styrian mountain lake, untouched by development. The cliffs of the Hochschwab massif are reflected in its emerald-green surface, and the lake is fed by spring water from the surrounding mountains. A four-kilometre hiking trail leads around the lake and offers panoramic views of the surroundings. There is a public bathing area on the western shore. As seasonal conditions and operating details may change, check them before your visit.

The Kaiser Franz Josef via ferrata offers a different kind of route: it climbs the 860-metre-high Seemauer and ends at a rope bridge. The circular trail, bathing area and via ferrata each offer a different focus, while Erzberg’s rides, show mine and open-air exhibition explore mining history in different ways. These themes can help you decide what to focus on during your stay in Eisenerz before looking for a hotel for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Mautern in Styria, Proleb, Hieflau, Rannach, Wald am Schoberpass, Sankt Michael in Obersteiermark, Gai, Radmer.

Return to the overview of the wider region: Leoben.