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Municipality in Tyrol, Austria
Photo: Wolfgang H. Wögerer, Wien, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Schwaz is a city in Northeast Tyrol, in Austria. It is the main town of the Schwaz district. The city borders the Karwendel Mountains to the north and the Tux Alps to the south. In the Middle Ages, silver mining made Schwaz Austria's second largest city after Vienna.
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Altstadt
Historic town centre with many architectural gems from the 15th and 16th century when Schwaz was an important silver ore mining town in Tyrol.
Schwazer Silberbergwerk
Silver mine, documenting over 500 years of ore mining in the area. A 90-minute tour takes visitors underground into the depths of the mountain with a miner train, explaining the harsh mining conditions miners faced throughout the centuries, and its importance in Medieval Austria. With a constant temperature of 12° round the year, warm clothes and gloves are recommended.
Zeiss Planetarium Schwaz
Planetarium with 360° projection cinema, showing documentaries on astronomy and earth sciences.
Museum der Völker
Among the top ethnological museums in Europe, the Museum der Völker exhibits artistic and religious artefacts collected by famous photographer, journalist and author Gert Chesi. The museum hosts collections of Gert Chesi along with the Schell Collection and Lindner Collection, all illustrated with photographic work by Gert Chesi.
Museum for religious art. Visits must be booked by telephone in advance.
Feuerwehrmuseum Schwaz
A tribute to firefighters and firefighting, displaying stories of heroism alongside firefighting equipment and antique fire engines. There is a special guided tour for kids.
Achensee Railway
Ride Europe's oldest steam-operated cog railway which opened in 1889.
Annual new music festival that has established a name for itself in central Europe.
This mountain bike tour covers about 300 km through the Alps and is generally split into four segments - one day per segment. Day 1: Kufstein - Achensee. Day 2: Achensee - Scharnitz. Day 3: Scharnitz - Schwaz. Day 4: Schwaz - Kufstein. The tour is mainly intended for experienced cyclists in good condition.
Large pizzas for a fair price. Indoor and outdoor seating, conveniently next to the Silver mine. Cosy, well suited for families with kids.
The best ice cream in town, and very affordable.
Traditional Austrian restaurant with a cozy atmosphere, serving Tyrolean food.
By car
The Inntal Autobahn (Inn Valley Highway) A12 passes through Schwaz, offering a direct highway connection to Germany through Wörgl and Kufstein, and to Italy over the Brenner Pass.
By helicopter
Schwaz does not have an airport, but a public heliport (ICAO: LOXS).
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