Kölnbreinsperre – exciting facts on the topic of hydropower
Get an overview in the exhibition VERBUND Energy World Malta, enjoy a fantastic view from the Airwalk at the dam, gain insights on a guided tour through the inside of the Kölnbreinsperre.
At the VERBUND Energy World Malta, you’ll learn more about the construction of the Kölnbreinsperre through historic photographs. A large relief and an interactive presentation offer insights into the Malta-Reisseck power plant group. You will also get extensive information on site about the Malta power plant group, with the newly constructed underground pumped storage power plant Reisseck II.
Admission to the Energy World Malta is free for all visitors to our excursion destination!
Airwalk
Only on the Airwalk can you experience the architecture of the Kölnbreinsperre in all its facets: when the wall arches over your head and the massive structure of 2 million m³ of concrete spreads out in front of you – which, by the way, has almost the same volume as the Great Pyramid of Giza (2.6 million m³).
Dam wall tour
With a height of 200 metres and a width of 626 metres, the Kölnbreinsperre is the largest dam in Austria. At peak times, it holds back 200 million m³ of water, which could be used to fill a bathtub for 1.4 billion people (20% of the world’s population).
Technical values are monitored daily at 2,500 measuring points. A tour of the dam gives you the opportunity to learn more about electricity generation and to explore the inside of the dam.
Meeting point & times
DAM WALL TOURS:
June-September: daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at regular intervals
May & October: on request
INFO Berghotel shop: 050 313 39 129
INFO group inquiries: 050 313 39 363
You can purchase tickets in the souvenir shop in the Berghotel, bus park level.
Also located here is the meeting point for the dam wall tours.
Tip: The temperature in the dam wall is a constant 8 °C all year round.
Warm clothing and sturdy footwear are recommended.
Prices of dam wall tour
| Adults | € 9.00 |
| Children 0-5 years | Free |
| Children & groups of schoolchildren 6-15 years | € 7.00 |
| Duration of the tour | approx. 1 hour |
Facts & figures on the Kölnbreinsperre
The VERBUND power plant Malta Upper Stage is a pumped storage power plant situated in Brandstatt in the municipality of Malta in Carinthia. It was built between 1974 and 1977 with the financial participation of Kelag and Energie AG. The power plant, which generates 37,870 MWh of electricity annually, was put into operation in 1979.