ÖSTERREICH	AUSTRIA
Bundesland: Steiermark	Styria
Bezirk: Leoben

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Vordernberg was one of the main iron-smelting places along the Styrian Iron Road which connected the iron ore mines of the Erzberg in Eisenerz with the Mur valley. Iron foundries are documented here since the 12th/13th century. Between the 17th and 19th century 14 foundries and hammer mills were in operation. In 1840, Peter Tunner founded the "Steiermärkisch-Ständische Berg- und Hüttenmännische Lehranstalt" which later was transferred to Leoben (Montanistic University). (See also Trofaiach.)