Mineral museum in Ahrntal

The mineral museum in St. Johann in Ahrntal has evolved along decades of passion for minerals. Over time, family Kirchler has searched and collected a considerable number and has transformed the museum into one of the most important mineral museums of the Eastern Alps.

In Johann, visitors are offers and exhibition area of 300 m² with around 1,000 single exhibits. The collection includes more than 100 minerals, such as quartzes, feldspars and gemstones from Ahrntal and Hohe Tauern.

The unique wonders of nature were formed around 30 million years ago in the inside the earth’s crust, under high pressure and with very high temperatures. Venturesome collectors gather these jewels of the Alps under partly dangerous conditions and save them from destruction by nature.

Some of the most special attractions of the mineral museum in Ahrntal are the South Tyrolean smoky quartzes, an rebuilt Alpine tension gash and wonderful twisted rock crystal from the mine in Prettau.

At the multimedia room, visitors learn more about the formation of minerals, about searching and finding these treasures, as well as about their healing effects. The connected shop and also the Mineral Museum's online shop offer minerals, jewels and souvenirs from Ahrntal and from the entire world to buy. Another highlight is the opening of geodes. The museum is also ideal for bus trips – a spacious car parking is located directly along the main road.