What to do and see in Vorarlberg, Austrian Alps: The Best History Museums

The Montafon mining museum in Silbertal is an outstanding example of family-friendly history education. All age groups can experience the exciting world of mining in this exhibition and get to know first-hand the mining ways of life of bygone days. The focus of the museum's content lies in the locally very strongly rooted Montafon mining industry of the 15th and 16th centuries, making it an ideal complement to the Silberpfad and the Silberspielwelt at the Kristberg as well as the historic mine at the Bartholomäberg. Exciting archaeological finds, historical written sources and impressive illustrations allow you to immerse yourself in a bygone world, riddled with myths and legends.

The Montafon Alpine and Tourism Museum in Gaschurn is located in an old Fruhmesshaus (Primissarian house). The architecture of the old Walser house, which impresses with its simplicity and beauty at the same time, and based on its prominent resident Franz Josef Battlogg (1836-1900), the object shows an emphasis on Alps history in the impressive mountain scenery of Silvretta and Verwall. The early morning preacher (primissarius) and later pastor Battlogg had created an international reputation as an alpine pioneer and exceptional choirmaster in the late 1860s and 1870s. He described Gaschurn as the "entrance hall to the great mountain world". Changing special exhibition on key themes of the Montafon museums complete the set.

Montafon Heritage Museum Schruns The oldest parts of the building originate from the 15th century and the long corridors of the upper floors give us an idea of the architecture of the late Middle Ages. The urban flair of the building is the result of the boom of the mining period. In those years, the so-called "Bergrichter", a judge to judge the miners, resided in this house. During the Bavarian foreign rule the building was extended around the year 1800. Later on the police and the jail were situated in the building and thereafter the Music School Montafon. In 1978 the "Heimatschutzverein" for the protection of the cultural heritage adopted the building and extended it four years later. The new part has four stories and houses the permanent and temporary exhibition while the old part offers a tour through the style of home decor and the working world of previous centuries. The latest enlagrement was the building of a cellar for the new Montafon Archive in 2002.

The Frühmesshaus in Bartholomäberg has existed since 1657. The special feature is its location with the unique panoramic view over the valley. This is where the roots of the Montafon settlement history lie. Early Baroque building and furniture, changing exhibitions and special exhibitions on the Montafon and the local community of Bartholomäberg.