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As all the copies of the 1994 Schneeberg guidebook are already exhausted, in December 1999 the authors were asked by the South Tyrol Museum of Mines to prepare a new, updated version.
Our intention was not that of undertaking large-scale research, but of presenting our current state of knowledge in the most interesting manner and, if possible, in a clearer way.
At the bottom of each page are brief indications of chronological events which occurred at Schneeberg, related to significant moments in world history. The result is that unexpected relationships emerge between the well-known historical facts of the outside world and events in a mine which is really out-of-the-way, right up in the mountains. An essential part of the contents of this guidebook is therefore linked with chronological references (grey pages).
Further explanations, sketches and annotations may be found in the columns bordering the pages.
From the year 2000, the two museum areas of the mine have been given new and clearer names:
Schneeberg-Passeier indicates the mining area on the Passeier side, which can only be reached on foot between May and October.
Ridnaun-Schneeberg indicates the whole museum, the enrichment plant at Maiern and the mining structures in the Lazzacher Tal, and includes the guided excursion to Schneeberg and the walk through the galleries starting from Ridnaun.
Mining has always been one of the main features in the history of both valleys. Although this activity has now ceased, and destruction and forgetfulness have impoverished the essential character of the mine, we still felt it was our duty to save some signs of our forbears’ laborious lives.
Glück auf! (*)
The authors
Passiria-Ridanna, March 2000

(*) Translator’s note: These words, the traditional typical greeting of miners, cannot simply be translated as ‘Good luck!’, but rather as ‘Here’s luck!’, ‘Here’s to luck!’, or even ‘Luck up there!’ (referring to the top of the shaft and/or the outside world. I have left them in the original German.