Nickelmuseum Hopfriesen

In the Nickelmuseum, mining has left its mark over the centuries in the midst of the impressive natural landscape. The smelting furnace in the Hopfriesen was built in 1840 and, as the last surviving smelting plant for non-ferrous metals, is unique in the entire Eastern Alps. The raw ore was crushed and processed in the stamp mill on the Talbach, and the necessary charcoal for roasting and melting was produced in the Kohlstatt. There was a lot of activity around the smelting furnace in the Hopfriesen when the pre-roasted ores were smelted. This important industrial monument brings a piece of the region's fascinating mining history back to life.

The Nickelmuseum shows everything that used to be made from the precious metal and what nickel is used for today: often invisible, but nevertheless indispensable. The broad spectrum of objects that were and are made of nickel in the past and present ranges from "tea chests to leg prostheses".
For our youngest ones, a little mountain goblin named "Nicki" tells how the shiny silver metal came to be named after him. Throughout the exhibition, he points out those pieces where there is something especially for children to discover. “Nicki” brings the exhibition to life for young visitors and encourages them to do their own research.

Guided tours: every Wednesday from 9.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m
Entrance fee: € 5.00; Children €3.00 (free with the Sommercard)