The area in and around Bernstein was populated by the Celts in early times. A bronze fibula dating back to 1,500 BC is the oldest find of this area. The village was first mentioned in 1388 as "village under the Castle Porostyan". Already in the 12th century mining was carried out here. In the beginning only for iron, but from 1560 onwards for sulphur, copper, bluestone, silver and even gold. Under the Freiherr Ludwig von Königsberg (1596 - 1628) mining in Bernstein had its greatest success. From this time the Bernstein coat of arms derives - it shows a mine shaft with two miners.

In 1860 Mr. Höfer and the priest Ratz discovered that within the common serpentine the green serpentine gem stone is enclosed. Bernstein is the world's only place to find the precious chrysolithe serpentine, which can easily be mistaken for Chinese jade, but is even rarer.

Up to today this green stone is used for making jewellery and ornaments. It can be admired and bought in several serpentine gem stone workshops (open on Sundays and public holidays).

With the union of Rettenbach, Stuben, Dreihütten and Redlschlag (1970) Bernstein now has a population of 2,441 and a size of 39km².

Tourist office:
Mon - Thu: 8am - 4pm
Fri: 8am - 12noon
Sat + Sun: information in the rock museum, Fam. Potsch, at the main square, ph 03354/6620