Metnitzer Totentanzmuseum

Om museet

Metnitz has a special cultural heritage in the Totentanz (Dance of Death): a medieval fresco cycle and a folk play, both of which address the equality of all people before death. The frieze was about 50 meters long and 1.20 meters wide and ran around the outside of the octagonal charnel house (Karner) south of the parish church. The verses come from a block book printed in Basel in 1465.

Because the paintings were exposed to the weather and had suffered badly, the best-preserved sections were removed in 1968/69 and restored in the workshop of the Federal Monuments Office (Bundesdenkmalamt). In 1989, a fresco copy was painted in fresco technique on the Karner, using the remaining originals, watercolor copies from 1885 and depictions from the Heidelberg block book as models. The removed originals have been shown in the museum next to the parish church since 1996; the house has since been redesigned.

The museum presents the original frescoes, the watercolor copies and documentation, as well as other medieval Dances of Death from Europe and modern Dance of Death cycles, including works by Prof. Brandstätter and Walter Krobath. The Metnitz Totentanzspiel (Dance of Death play), revived in 1957 on the initiative of Mayor Hans Staunig, is performed by amateur actors from the village at intervals in front of the Karner and the church. The museum is run by the Metnitz parish.

Højdepunkter

• Only surviving frescoes of a monumental 15th-century Dance of Death in Austria
• Watercolor copies of 1885 and documentation of the frescoes
• Medieval and modern Dance of Death depictions from Europe
• Gothic charnel house with fresco copy and death ship (Totenschiff)
• Metnitz Dance of Death play performed by amateur actors

Permanente udstillinger

• Originalfresken des Metnitzer Totentanzes – The removed 15th-century frescoes, supplemented by watercolor copies from 1885 and documentation of the cycle’s history.
• Mittelalterliche und moderne Totentänze – Further medieval Dance of Death depictions from Europe and contemporary Dance of Death cycles.

Ejer

Pfarre Metnitz

Entrépriser & rabatter

Prices for 2026. With the Kärnten Card, admission is free for one day (photo ID required).

Tilgængelighed

• Kørestolsvenlig
• Elevator: ingen oplysninger
• Handicaptoilet: ingen oplysninger
• Handicapparkering: ingen oplysninger
• Servicehunde tilladt: ingen oplysninger
• Taktile tilbud: ingen oplysninger
• Rundvisninger på tegnsprog: ingen oplysninger
• Letlæste tilbud: ingen oplysninger
• Synstolkning: ingen oplysninger

The museum describes itself on its website as barrier-free; further details are not published.

Børn og familie

Transport & parkering

By car from Klagenfurt via the E37 to St. Veit, then on the B317 to the Friesach Nord exit and through the Metnitz Valley to Metnitz (directions as given by the Kärnten Card).

Service & spisesteder

Museet har ikke offentliggjort oplysninger om dette.

Arrangementer & udlejning

Museet har ikke offentliggjort oplysninger om dette.

Planlæg dit besøg