Monteneve Mine: A hidden treasure among the peaks of South Tyrol

The Monteneve Mine, located between 2,000 and 2,650 metres above sea level, is one of the highest mining sites in Europe and stretches across two valleys: Val Passiria and Val Ridanna. This extraordinary place combines history, adventure and high-altitude nature, offering an immersive experience for anyone wishing to discover the mining roots of South Tyrol.

800 years of underground history

The origins of the mine date back more than eight centuries. The first official record appears in a document from 1237. But it was in 1486 that Monteneve reached its peak: more than 1,000 miners worked there extracting lead, zinc and silver under extreme conditions.

In 1967, the Val Passiria side was abandoned and the buildings fell into ruin. However, in 1972, to preserve the memory of the site, an alpine refuge was built, which still serves as a rest stop for hikers today.

The highest open-air mining museum in Europe

In 1996, the Monteneve Mining Museum was inaugurated — a truly unique complex that includes:

• The mine tunnels – Accessible only with experienced guides, they allow visitors to explore the heart of the mountain and learn how miners worked in darkness, hardship and ingenuity.
• The miners’ village – Located at 3,355 m, it is considered the highest permanent settlement in Europe. A place frozen in time, where you can see the homes, workshops and daily life of those who once worked here.
• The rail transport system – With its 27 km of length, it is the longest rail system in the world in a mining context, connecting the tunnels to the valley floor for transporting materials and tools.

Historical curiosities: Between refuge and tragedy

Andreas Hofer, the Tyrolean hero, hid for three days in a Monteneve gorge after his second battle against Napoleon’s troops.

In 1898, Princess Elisabeth of BavariaPrincess Elisabeth of Bavaria (the famous Empress Sissi) was due to visit the mine but was assassinated in Geneva a few days earlier by Luigi Lucheni, forever changing the course of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The Monteneve Mine is a journey through time and mountain life — a place where every path, every rock and every story tells of hardship, hope and endurance.