I am a Murtaler - winding tower Fohnsdorf | © Erlebnisregion Murtal; Helmut Strasser | Wolfgang Spekner I am a Murtaler - winding tower Fohnsdorf | © Erlebnisregion Murtal; Helmut Strasser | Wolfgang Spekner

I am a Murtaler - winding tower of the Fohnsdorf Mining Museum

  • 2 minutes of reading time
Author: Claudia Bachler
The winding tower at the Fohnsdorf Mining Museum is the symbol of a long and proud mining tradition in the Murtal region. Once part of the deepest lignite mine in the world, the imposing steel colossus now towers into the sky as a monument to industrial history and tells of the hard but also formative times of coal mining in Fohnsdorf.

Flying high

The tower, which was built in 1947, was used to transport coal from the depths of the mine to the surface. At a height of over 47 meters, it towers over the site of the former mine and is a reminder of the time when coal mining dominated the region's economy. Today, the winding tower greets visitors to the museum from afar and is an imposing feature of Fohnsdorf.

The mining museum itself provides deep insights into the working conditions and lives of the miners. It tells the story of courage, hard work and solidarity that shaped the everyday lives of the people of Fohnsdorf. A visit to the tower and the museum not only brings the past to life, but also shows the importance of mining for the development of the region.

The impressive architecture of the winding tower and its industrial aesthetics form a fascinating contrast to the surrounding nature. Here it becomes clear how industrialization has left its mark on the picturesque landscape of the Mur Valley.

For all those interested in the history and culture of mining, the winding tower at the Fohnsdorf Mining Museum is a must-see. It stands as a symbol of the strength and endurance of the people who worked in mining for generations and as a memorial to the importance of industrialization in the region.

Contact:
Bergbaumuseum
Schacht 10
8753 Fohnsdorf
Tel.: +43 699 17262810
Homepage: https://www.bergbaumuseum-fohnsdorf.at/
Tower - Mining Museum Fohnsdorf | © Tourismusinformation Erlebnisregion Murtal | Wolfgang Spekner
Mining Museum Fohnsdorf | © Erlebnisregion Murtal; Helmut Strasser | Wolfgang Spekner
Mining Museum Fohnsdorf | © Erlebnisregion Murtal | Wolfgang Spekner

A winding tower tells the story

Erlebnisregion Murtal: “What connects you to the Murtal?”
Conveyor tower: “I am closely connected to the history and identity of the Mur Valley. For many decades, I was at the center of mining, and that not only shaped the people here, but also the entire region. Mining had a strong influence on the Mur Valley and I am proud to be a symbol of this time. Today, I stand as a monument to the hard work and strength of the people who worked under and around me.”

Erlebnisregion Murtal: “When do you feel your heart beating in the Murtal?”
Conveyor tower: “That's a good question. Although I don't hear engines like my colleague the steel bull, I feel a similar heartbeat when visitors explore the museum and immerse themselves in the history of mining. The moments when former miners come here and remember their time underground are particularly moving. Then I feel that my history remains alive.”

Erlebnisregion Murtal: “Where is your favorite place in the Murtal?”
Winding tower: “It's definitely up here, at the top. From here I have a unique view over the Mur Valley and the surrounding mountains. It's a wonderful blend of history and nature that comes together here. I can see the changing seasons, the coming and going of people and I can feel the history that surrounds me. But if I had to choose another place, then perhaps the Pucherschacht - that's where the history of mining in Fohnsdorf begins. I feel particularly close to my roots there.”

Would you like to go on a voyage of discovery?

Would you also like to get to know the winding tower in Fohnsdorf and other museums in the Mur Valley? Then visit the Long Night of Museums on Saturday 05.10.2024. More information under www.murtal.at/langenachtdermuseen