Things To Do In Schwaz
Thanks to the silver mining business, which made Schwaz one of the most rich and powerful cities in the Holy Roman Empire in the 15th and 16th centuries, this town in the Austrian state of Tyrol boasts a rich and intriguing past and culture. Schwaz presents to guests a range of sights and activities highlighting both its natural and scenic beauty as well as its legacy and appeal.
Explore the Old Town Schwaz
Preserving the history and the mood of the medieval and early modern times, when Schwaz was the hub of the coin minting and silver mining in Europe, the Old Town Schwaz is the historic and cultural center of Schwaz. Worth seeing and appreciating, the Old Town Schwaz boasts several sites and monuments including:
- The Fugger House: Built in 1515 by the Fugger family, the richest and most influential bankers and traders in Europe, the Fugger House is the most magnificent and sophisticated construction in the Old Town Schwaz. Renaissance fronting the Fugger House features a coat of arms, a doorway, and a balcony. Along with a courtyard featuring a fountain and fresco, the Fugger House also The Fugger family, who funded the coin minting at Schwaz and the silver mine, lived and worked from the Fugger House, closely associated with the Habsburgs and the papacy.
- The Parish Church: One of the most significant and striking ecclesiastical buildings in Tyrol, the Parish Church is the primary one of Schwaz Built in the fifteenth century, the church boasts a remarkable tower, a lavishly ornamented interior, and a great organ. Archduke Sigismund of Tyrol, a patron of Schwaz and advocate of the silver mining business, is also buried in the cathedral.
- The Trading House: Built in 1460 by trader Hans Lasser, one of Schwaz’s wealthiest and most powerful residents, the late Gothic structure known as the Trading House The Trading House boasts a Gothic front featuring a coat of arms, bay window, and entrance. Additionally housed in the Trading House is a hall with fresco and vaulted ceiling. Taxes and duties were gathered at the Trading House, where the copper and silver were weighed, kept, and exchanged as well as housed.
Among the many other structures and monuments reflecting the history and culture of Schwaz and Tyrol, the Old Town Schwaz boasts the Palais Enzenberg, the Stadtarchiv, the Galerie der Stadt Schwaz, the Steinbrücke, and the Franciscan Monastery. One should have fun and explore the Old Town Schwaz.
Visit the Schwaz Silver Mine
Having started in the fifteenth century, the Schwaz Silver Mine is the biggest and oldest silver mine in the world. Once the second-largest city in the Holy Roman Empire, Schwaz mostly derived riches and power from the mine. Now a museum, the mine provides guided excursions into the subterranean tunnels and chambers where guests may learn about the history, technology, and culture of the silver mining sector.
Beginning an open train journey into the 500-year-old silver mine, the tour takes roughly 15 minutes and covers 800 meters. Visitors on the train reach a depth of 150 meters where they can view the ancient shafts, galleries, and machinery used to harvest and move the copper ore and silver. Multimedia presentations and exhibits covering the mining techniques, ore processing, coin minting, social and economic aspects of the mining business also accompany the tour. The tour also depicts the working and living circumstances of the miners, who must contend with various difficulties and hazards including darkness, cold, moisture, dust, noise, and accidents.
Showcasing the rich and intriguing history of Schwaz and Tyrol as well as the significance and impact of the silver mining business worldwide and in Europe, the Schwaz Silver Mine is an amazing sight. Anyone interested in learning more about the medieval and early modern times, as well as the mining work’s culture and technologies, must-see the Schwaz Silver Mine.
Enjoy the View from the Freundsberg Castle
Rising from a hilltop, the medieval Freundsberg Castle commands view of Schwaz. Influential nobles and Habsburg supporters, the lords of Freundsberg constructed the fortress in the 12th century. Today, the castle serves as a museum featuring several artifacts and displays concerning Schwaz and Tyrol’s history, art, and folklore.
With a square keep, a round tower, a curtain wall, and a gatehouse, the castle boasts an arresting and commanding front. A garden and a moat round the castle to provide a panoramic view of the town and the valley. Built in 1637, the chapel housed in the castle honors St. George, the patron saint of the knights. The chapel features a martyrdom of St. George painting and a Baroque altar.
The castle boasts a large and sophisticated interior with multiple halls and chambers displaying different collections and displays. From the ancient era until the present, the castle exhibits permanently the history and culture of Schwaz and Tyrol. Artifacts, records, paintings, sculptures, weaponry, clothing, and models that highlight the subjects of the silver mine, currency minting, religious life, folklore, and Schwaz and Tyrol’s art abound in the display. Additionally present in the castle is a four-story tower with varied themes and architectural style. Additionally featuring a top terrace, the tower provides an amazing perspective of the surrounds.
Reflecting the history, culture, and faith of Schwaz and Tyrol as well as the significance and impact of the lords of Freundsberg in Europe and the globe, the great and majestic Freundsberg Castle is Anyone fascinated in medieval and early modern architecture and art as well as in the social and political life of the town should definitely visit the castle.
Experience the YOUR DOME Tirol
THE YOUR DOME One of a kind attraction Tirol presents to guests is a 360-degree dome allowing them to enjoy different movies, performances, and concerts. The dome is housed in Schwaz’s former planetarium, which underwent renovations and conversion into a cutting-edge multimedia space set for 2022. Comprising a height of 9 meters and a diameter of 18 meters, the dome can hold up to 200 people. The dome features a surround sound system, a high-resolution projection system, and a unique ventilation system designed to provide a comfortable temperature within.
The dome presents a range of events fit for many interests and tastes. Among the programs are:
- Planetarium Shows: Using realistic and striking pictures and animations, planetarium presentations explore the wonders of the universe—from the solar system to the galaxies. Expert and celebrity narrators for the shows include Benedict Cumberbatch, Stephen Hawking, and Neil deGrace Tyson.
- Nature and Adventure Shows: From the Amazon rainforest to the Himalayas to the Arctic to the African savanna, these shows transport guests to some of the most breathtaking and fascinating locations on Earth. The amazing visuals and sound effects in the shows help guests to feel as though they are part of the action.
- Music and Art Shows: Famous musicians and artists including Mozart, Beethoven, Van Gogh, and Monet are presented in fresh and engaging manner in music and art exhibits. The concerts mix the music and art with amazing visuals and animations that produce a harmonic and motivating ambiance.
- Live Concerts: Local and international musicians including rock bands, jazz ensembles, classical orchestras, and choirs will be present in live events. The projection and sound technology of the dome accentuates the concerts by giving the viewers a realistic and immersive experience.
To further educate, entertain, and link the guests, the dome also offers unique events including celebrations, seminars, conferences, and parties. Depending on the program and seat type, the tickets run from 10 to 25 euros; the dome is open everyday from 10:00 to 22:00. Discounts for groups, students, retirees, and children also abound from the dome.
Offering tourists a unique and immersive experience, the YOUR DOME Tirol is a great attraction highlighting the inventiveness and artistic ability of Schwaz and Tyrol. Anyone who wishes to savor a unique and thrilling kind of entertainment has to see YOUR DOME Tirol.
Hike or Ski on the Kellerjoch
The Kellerjoch is a mountain that rises above Schwaz and offers a panoramic view of the Inn valley and the surrounding Alps. The mountain is a popular destination for hikers, skiers, and paragliders, who can enjoy the scenic trails, slopes, and thermals. The mountain also has a cable car that takes visitors to the summit, where they can find a restaurant and a chapel.
There are various tough and varying length hiking paths on the mountain that provide unique views and attractions. Among the trails are some:
- The Panorama Trail: Comprising a short and easy path around the Kellerjoch’s peak, the Panorama Trail provides a 360-degree view of the valley and mountains. The walk also runs by the restaurant offering both local and international cuisine and the chapel, constructed in 1898 honoring St. Mary Magdalene.
- The Kellerjoch Trail: Offering a difficult and fulfilling climb, the Kellerjoch Trail is a moderate and long path from the valley to the peak. The trail provides a range of vistas and attractions and winds by the woodland, the meadows, the alpine pastures, and the cliffs. The Kellerjochhütte, a mountain hut providing lodging and food for hikers, also lies on the trail.
- The Schwaz Trail: Offering a challenging and adventurous climb, the Schwaz Trail winds from the village of Schwaz to the top of the Kellerjoch. Offering a historical and cultural tour of the town, the trail winds by the Old Town Schwaz, the Schwaz Silver Mine, the Freundsberg Castle, and the Franciscan Monastery. Along the path lies the Schwazer Alm, a mountain inn providing hikers with respite and beverages.
Along with various tough and varying length ski slopes that provide unique vistas and attractions, the mountain boasts Among the slopes are some:
- The Family Slope: Perfect for novices and families, the Family Slope is a small and easy hill that provides a pleasant and safe skiing experience. The slope features a broad breadth and a mild gradient and features a ski lift and a snow cannon.
- The Panorama Slope: Suitable for beginner and experienced skiers, the modest and lengthy Panorama Slope provides an exciting and picturesque ski experience. Offering a 360-degree perspective of the valley and the mountains, the slope has a short width and a strong incline.
- The Freeride Slope: Expert and adventurous skiers will find the lengthy and difficult Freeride Slope fit for them as it provides an interesting and demanding ski experience. The slope presents a natural and unspoiled terrain with a relatively short width and a very strong gradient.
Along with various paragliding locations of varying difficulty and length that provide unique vistas and attractions, the mountain also boasts Among the venues are some:
- The Beginner Spot: Perfect for beginners and novices, the short and simple Beginner Spot provides a smooth and mild paragliding experience. Equipped with a paragliding school and a rental business, the site boasts a low height and a level landing location.
- The Intermediate Spot: Appropriate for intermediate and experienced paragliders, the intermediate site is a modest, long one that provides an exciting and picturesque paragliding experience. The site provides a view of the town and the valley and has a sloped landing place and a high height.
- The Expert Spot: Appropriate for expert and adventurous paragliders, this is a tough and long area that provides an interesting and challenging paragliding experience. The location provides a view of the mountains and the glaciers and has a somewhat high height and a quite inclined landing surface.
Offering tourists a range of activities and experiences, the Kellerjoch is a great destination highlighting Schwaz and Tyrol’s natural and picturesque appeal. Anyone who wants to savor the outdoors and the adventure has to see the Kellerjoch.