Museum Maxhütte Bergen | Opening Hours & Admission Prices

The Museum Maxhütte Bergen is an authentic site of industrial history in the Chiemgau region. In the historic halls of the former Maximilianshütte, visitors immerse themselves in the world of iron production – from the extraction of pig iron in the blast furnace to the cast products and machines that were later manufactured here. With clear opening hours during the summer season, family-friendly admission prices, and regular guided tours, the museum is ideal for culture enthusiasts, families, school classes, and groups. The venue is conveniently located near the A8 motorway in Bergen, making it an excellent addition to excursion plans around Hochfelln and Chiemsee. In addition to the permanent exhibition, there are seasonal programs such as special exhibitions and atmospheric events. Those interested in the development of the iron industry, the power of the Weißache river, and regional work traditions will find illustrative models, original machines, and many stories spanning several centuries. The combination of well-founded education, regional ties, and a tangible location makes the Maxhütte a worthwhile destination in southeastern Bavaria's cultural landscape.

Opening Hours and Seasonal Times 2025

The Maxhütte Bergen consciously operates with a clearly defined season, as the historic building cannot be heated sensibly and environmentally during the winter months. Accordingly, the museum is closed outside of the season. In 2025, the Maxhütte opened its doors on May 1st and extended the season until Sunday, October 5th. During this period, fixed visiting hours apply: open daily except Monday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The Monday closure as a rest day facilitates not only organizational work but also the protection and maintenance of the exhibits. These reliable time slots assist in planning day trips and group visits; they also provide the necessary structure for the volunteer and full-time team to ensure tours, special formats, and the technical maintenance of the ensemble. Visitors who prefer to start early can enter the exhibition right at the opening time and experience the machines and models in a quieter atmosphere. Those arriving closer to noon should consider the closing time, as the last entry is recommended to allow enough time for tours, reading the information panels, and viewing the machines. Outside the season – that is, in the autumn after October 5th, as well as in winter and early spring – the museum is closed. During this time, the work behind the scenes focuses on maintenance, repairs, documentation, and preparation for the upcoming season. Last-minute adjustments on individual days may occur in exceptional cases, such as during special events; for instance, regular museum operations ended early at 1:00 PM on Saturday, September 27, 2025, due to the Törggelen festival, and the exhibition remained closed on Sunday due to necessary cleanup work. Those planning a visit close to event dates should ideally check the current notices from the Tourist Information Bergen or the museum's website in advance. Overall, the seasonal times from early May to early October provide a stable, well-communicated foundation for combining visits with other experiences in Chiemgau.

Admission Prices and Discounts

The Museum Maxhütte Bergen values low-threshold access to regional industrial history and therefore offers family-friendly ticket prices. Adults pay €3.50, guests with a spa card €3.00, and children and teenagers aged 6 to 18 as well as people with disabilities pay €2.00. A family ticket is available for €7.00, making the joint museum visit financially attractive. Children under 6 years have free admission – a clear signal that young visitors are welcome and should be introduced early to historical technology and regional working worlds. Discounted rates apply for groups and school classes, depending on the scope and duration of the tour; prior registration is advisable to coordinate visiting times, focal points, and educational materials. Particularly interesting for holiday guests in the region: With the Chiemgau Card, one-time free admission to the museum is possible per started holiday week. This card is provided to overnight guests by participating hosts and includes a variety of regional services from mountain railways to museums. Additionally, holders of the Bergen guest card benefit from a discount for visiting the Maxhütte. Both offers make admission even more attractive and demonstrate how strongly the museum is integrated into the regional tourism network. Payment is made easy; cash payment is possible, which also benefits groups and school classes. Those wishing to combine their visit with other activities can easily incorporate the admission question into a day plan: explore the exhibition in the morning, followed by a hike around Hochfelln or a detour to Chiemsee – the location of the Maxhütte allows for such combinations without long distances. With transparent prices and clearly communicated discounts, it is immediately evident what budget to expect. This makes planning the cultural part of a Chiemgau stay straightforward – whether as a spontaneous addition to a day trip or as a central destination of a historical discovery tour.

Guided Tours, Visit Planning, and Services at the Museum

A special offering of the Maxhütte Bergen is the regular guided tours that bring the historic ensemble and exhibition to life. During the season, an open tour takes place on Tuesdays at 10:00 AM, lasting about an hour. Key stations of the tour are explained: How did the blast furnace operation with charcoal work? What role did the water power of the Weißache play? How did the plant transform from an iron producer to a foundry and later to machine construction? Using illustrative models and original machines, the team explains the steps from the production of pig iron to casting in molds. Those wanting to delve deeper can arrange individual tours for groups, associations, or school classes – complete with suitable thematic focuses, such as the history of technology, regional economic and social history, or materials science. Educational materials, info flyers, and visualizations support understanding. Clear processes are also helpful for school classes: from arrival at the Maxhütte to group organization to times for questions and independent exploration. In addition to the exhibition, the Maxhütte features films and stories that make voices from the region audible. These formats convey the living environment of the people who worked here and provide insights into the changes over the centuries. An externally produced audio contribution – an audio story from the Ökomodell Achental – allows the significance of the Maxhütte in the natural and cultural landscape to be experienced acoustically. As a service for families, the region points out that the museum visit is also suitable for children; strollers are allowed, and there are restroom facilities available. For a hassle-free visit, it is advisable to bring along small snacks and drink bottles, as there is no café operated within the immediate ensemble. Those arriving with a group should clarify the arrival time in advance so that the team can respond to needs. In the daily routine of the museum, arriving shortly after opening or outside of classic peak times proves comfortable: this allows ample time for questions, photos of the impressive machines, and exploration of individual areas without the day feeling rushed. Early planning is also advisable in combination with events – such as special exhibitions – as individual days may have special procedures. Overall, the mix of open dates and individually bookable offerings ensures that every visiting group finds the appropriate form of mediation.

History and Highlights of the Maxhütte Bergen

The roots of the Maxhütte Bergen date back to 1562 when Pankraz von Freyberg founded an ironworks in Bergen. For centuries, ore mining, charcoal production, and the use of water power shaped the industrial development of the region. Throughout the 19th century, the plant grew to become one of the most significant iron producers in Bavaria and one of the largest foundries in southern Germany. A significant turning point was the devastating fire and subsequent reconstruction in 1824 under King Max I. Joseph, who also named the facility Maximilianshütte. The exhibition vividly illustrates these upheavals through models, historical images, and original parts. With technological progress, the raw material base of iron production also changed: since the 18th century, the use of coke instead of charcoal became established. This enabled a tremendous increase in iron production – but favored locations with easy access to coke. For Bergen, where proximity to charcoal and water had previously been an advantage, this created pressure to adapt. Ore mining ended in 1881, and shortly thereafter, blast furnace production was discontinued. Nevertheless, the Maximilianshütte found new paths: it transformed into a foundry factory and produced a wide range of cast products – from balcony railings to gears and grave crosses to saint figures and even grenades. Later, the plant specialized in machine construction; among the most important products were woodworking machines, including large sawmills, which are now displayed in the museum and impressively showcase the dimensions of the manufacturing at that time. A constant in the operation remained the use of the water power of the Weißache, which supplied the plant with energy for generations. With the Great Depression, the facility faced economic difficulties; in 1932, the plant was finally closed. This arc – from the flourishing iron age through technological change to structural change – makes a visit to the Maxhütte so educational. The presentation connects technical details with social and economic contexts: How did new processes affect work, the environment, and the region? What skills did molders and casters need? How did businesses respond to global crises? The exhibits, films, and stories from the region answer these questions with a density that can only be experienced at an authentic location. Thus, the Maxhütte becomes the key to understanding the industrial history of Chiemgau in the context of Europe – not abstractly, but concretely, tangibly, and locally anchored.

Directions, Location, and Contact

The museum is located in Bergen in the Traunstein district and is very easily accessible by car. The recommended approach is via the A8 motorway Munich–Salzburg. After the Bergen exit, it is about 3 kilometers to the Maxhütte. The address for navigation and route planning is: Maxhüttenstraße 10, 83346 Bergen. For precise orientation, GPS coordinates are also available (approximately 47.79523 N, 12.58788 E), marking the location of the facility. For inquiries about opening hours, tours, or group bookings, please contact the Tourist Information Bergen at +49 (0)8662 8321. Written inquiries can be directed to tourismus@bergen-chiemgau.de. This central contact point supports both individual travelers and organizers in planning. For a relaxed arrival, it is advisable to use a current navigation system and to plan a few minutes of buffer time for the walk from the parking area to the entrance, especially on event days. Public parking in the town is used according to local signage; on-site indications and usual navigation apps reliably lead to the Maxhütte. Those arriving by bicycle benefit from the scenic location in Chiemgau. Due to the historical building substance, there are no large indoor lounges or dining options in the ensemble; therefore, combining with local restaurants or a picnic on the way is recommended for breaks. Accessibility aspects and individual needs can be discussed with the team in advance for group visits. Overall, the Maxhütte is situated so that it can be easily integrated into a day trip – whether on the way along the A8, as a complement to a hike around Hochfelln, or as a program point during a holiday in Chiemgau.

Events and Current Exhibitions 2025

In addition to the permanent exhibition, which explains the history and technology of iron and casting production, the Maxhütte enriches the seasonal calendar with changing programs. In 2025, the facility was the venue for the traditional Törggelen on Saturday, September 27, a festive wine festival featuring specialties from South Tyrol and live music. Due to the event setup, regular museum operations ended early at 1:00 PM that day; the exhibition remained closed the following Sunday due to cleanup work. Such notices are transparently communicated by the museum so that visitors can adjust their plans. Additionally, the Maxhütte showcased a picture exhibition featuring works by Anton M. Bader and Thomas M. Krause from September 16 to 27, 2025, which was accessible during regular opening hours. The historical ambiance lends a special atmosphere to such art formats: between casting molds, sawmills, and models, the images create dialogues between past and present. Furthermore, the Maxhütte is closely integrated into the regional cultural and museum network. An important partner is the Achthal Mining Museum, which documents centuries-old iron extraction at Teisenberg and thus impressively complements the production chain from extraction to processing. Those wanting to delve deeper into material cycles can therefore combine their museum visit with a detour to Achthal. For guests planning a comprehensive cultural time in Chiemgau, it is also worth looking at the offerings of regional guest cards: with the Chiemgau Card, admission to the Maxhütte is free once per started holiday week – an incentive to firmly incorporate the museum visit into the holiday agenda. The Bergen guest card also offers discounts, demonstrating how closely the community is connected to its museum location. In addition to events and exhibitions, the weekly guided tour on Tuesday mornings remains an anchor in the program; it is especially recommended for first-time visitors. Those planning individually should contact the Tourist Information early to fix dates and focal points. Overall, the mix of reliable basic offerings and occasional highlights ensures that the Maxhütte remains exciting even for repeat visitors – whether for locals, regular guests of the region, or travelers diving into southeastern Bavaria's industrial history for the first time.

Sources:

• Museum Maxhütte Bergen – Official Website (Opening Hours, Admission, Directions, Notices 2025)
• Museum Maxhütte Bergen – Information: Iron Age, Industrial History, Exhibits
• Chiemgau Card – Museum Maxhütte Bergen: Info and Opening Hours
• Community Bergen – Guest Card & Spa Contribution, Discounts Maxhütte
• destination.one – Museum Maxhütte: Facilities, Opening Hours, Prices
• Chiemsee-Chiemgau – Törggelen at the Museum Maxhütte, Date September 27, 2025
• Stadtplan.de – Museum Maxhütte Bergen: Address, Contact, GPS