Schwaz

Schwaz is a town in the Austrian state of Tyrol and the administrative center of the district of Schwaz. It is located in the Inn Valley to the north of the Tyrolean Alps, about 30 kilometers east of Innsbruck, at the northern foot of the Karwendel range. The town sits at roughly 560 meters above sea level and serves as a regional economic and cultural hub.

Schwaz has a long mining heritage. In the Middle Ages the discovery of silver ore near the town spurred rapid growth, and Schwaz became one of Europe’s most important mining centers during the 15th and 16th centuries. The mining industry declined in later centuries, and the local economy diversified toward forestry, agriculture, crafts, and, in modern times, services and tourism.

Today Schwaz is the administrative and economic center of the district and serves as a gateway for tourism in the Tyrolean Alps. The historic town center features traditional Tyrolean architecture, a compact market square, and several churches and historic buildings. The Schwaz Silver Mine, now a museum and tourist mine, offers tours that showcase the area’s mining heritage.

The town is connected by road and rail with Innsbruck and other Tyrolean towns, making it a regional transport hub. Nearby attractions include the Karwendel range and other outdoor recreation opportunities in the Inn Valley.