Amidst the Eisenerzer Alps lies the famous Erzberg, its 40 opencast floors overlooking the historical center of Eisenerz, whose fortunes have been influenced by this impressive pyramid.
From May to October you may experience one of the most modern opencast mining at close range and take a peek at how ore was one deep inside the mountain hundreds of years ago.
Erzberg and its traditions and regional customs are the heart of ERZBERG LEOBEN.
The Erzberg is an active mine, currently the most modern open pit mining operation in Europe, where iron ore has been mined for more than 1,300 years. The Hauly is on the most powerful and largest taxi in the world – it`s a converted 860 hp giant with a viewing platform. You ride along the steps of the Erzberg and see the other heavy-duty vehicles and wheel loaders at work in the active ore mining.
Live blasting: with the Hauly, you can ride to live blastings on Thursdays and experience ore mining up close. You will learn all about blasting from the blasting experts and experience how the up to 25,000 tonnes of ore and rock are blasted.
Show mine: you visit the underground labyrinth of the Erzberg and learn about the working world of miners then and now – from the origin stories of the Erzberg to the Aquarius myth to the audiovisual staged blasting.
Adventurous journeys in the world's largest taxi: the Hauly
On a taxi ride of a different kind, guests get to know the Erzberg. In the Hauly, a converted heavy goods vehicle with 1217 hp, you drive right through the open-cast mine. Passengers travel along the steps of the Erzberg to the most remote parts of the mountain. From the viewing platform, passengers can watch miners going about their daily work. Events at the Erzberg are always particularly eventful on Thursdays, when there is even a live blasting.
Tip: With a combined tour, you can experience authentic open-cast mining up close and discover the underground labyrinth of the Erzberg.
Mystical show mine On a tour through the show mine, guests learn about the underground labyrinth of the Erzberg and the working world of miners in the past and present. They also learn interesting facts about the history of the Erzberg's origins - and about the mysterious legend of a water sprite: he is said to have lived in a grotto near Lake Leopoldstein and was held captive by the iron miners. He tried to regain his freedom by offering the iron from the Erzberg.
If you want to try your hand at being a squire, you can try your hand at filling troughs, broaches and pneumatic hand drills.
Oswaldirücken open-air exhibition
The extensive area of the Oswaldirücken open-air exhibition, situated at 878 metres above sea level, invites you to take an eventful walk directly on the Erzberg. Winding paths lead along the Styrian Iron Road over a green hill. Visitors discover contemporary witnesses of mining from the 18th century.
The following exhibits can be viewed: a water basin, a 1,000 metre stone, shaft cranes, shovel loaders, electric excavators and much more.
The Erzberg, a place with an exciting present
The Erzberg and the town of Eisenerz have a rich past and a unique treasure trove of natural and cultural landscapes. This is one of the reasons why the largest pyramid in the world attracts so many tourists. But athletes have also discovered it for themselves! Thrilling scenes from the toughest and most famous off-road motorbike race in the world - the Erzbergrodeo - are broadcast on TV every year and show how the world's best hard enduro motorcyclists grit their teeth on the iron mountain. The Red Bull Hare Sramble in particular is a spectacle in a class of its own for spectators. The attractive dominance and uniqueness of the Erzberg are also popular motifs in art. Numerous works from the fields of painting, photography and film art bear witness to this.
Find out more: Erzberg adventure