As we passed by the Village of Bad Bleiberg in Carinthia we took the chance to visit the mining museum there, named Terra Mystica. Mining operations started about 800 B.C.E there, and shut down in the mid 1990's. Since that time the mine is a museum with exhibits from the long history of mining in the region, and tours through the tunnel systems. As it was a quite hot day (32°C / 90°F) the 9°C / 46°C down in the mine where a quite nice diversion ;)
The Entrance of the mine:
A gallery between mines:
It looks like a cave but it is a mine dug out by hand before the advent of power tools and explosives:
St. Barbara is the patron saint to the miners, and this mine was dedicated to her:
The water wheel was used as engine to lift the mined rocks to the surface
One real fun part ist the longest wooden slide in europe you enter the mine through.
If you're around that spot, it's sure worth a visit.
Have fun and enjoy your day!
