Ausseer Kammerhofmuseum

About the museum

The Kammerhof in the centre of Bad Aussee is first documented in 1395 and served as the salt administration office until 1926. Despite numerous alterations, much of the old building fabric has been preserved, including window and door frames from around 1530 and the Kaisersaal with 18th-century wall paintings. The municipality acquired the building in 1971; the facade has been under restoration since 2019.

The museum was founded in 1978 and presents the history and folk culture of the Ausseerland on around 800 m². It is run by the association "Arbeitsgemeinschaft Ausseer Kammerhofmuseum", founded in 2002, which operates the museum on a voluntary basis on behalf of the town; the municipality is the owner and covers the running costs.

Twelve permanent exhibitions range from fossils and Ice Age cave bear finds from the Salzofenhöhle, through archaeological finds from the Copper Age to the Roman period, to salt production, summer retreats, building styles, customs, traditional costume and folk music. One section is dedicated to Archduke Johann and Anna Plochl, and the museum cinema shows short historical films from the Ausseerland. Several departments have been redesigned in recent years, most recently the archaeology section in 2024.

Highlights

• Kaisersaal with 18th-century wall paintings
• Finds from the Salzofenhöhle including cave bear remains
• Ausseer festive costumes since 1800
• Archduke Johann and Anna Plochl
• Museum cinema with 43 historical short films

Permanent exhibitions

• Salz- und Ortsgeschichte – This section shows how salt production shaped Bad Aussee from the Middle Ages to the 20th century and how the town became a spa resort.
• Erzherzog Johann und Anna Plochl – Tells the love story of the Habsburg prince and the woman from Aussee and sheds light on Johann as a reformer.
• Tracht – The section, redesigned in 2021, presents Ausseer festive costumes since 1800, complemented by the costume craft with historical printing blocks.

Founded

1978

Operated by

Arbeitsgemeinschaft Ausseer Kammerhofmuseum (im Auftrag der Stadtgemeinde Bad Aussee)

Director

Sieglinde Köberl

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the Steiermark-Card and the Sommerclou-Card.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Limited wheelchair accessibility; assistance is partly required.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Children's tours by arrangement; children and young people up to 18 years pay €3.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The Kaisersaal (up to 3 hours €200, 3–5 hours €250) and the foyer (€250 or €300) can be rented, for example for book presentations; drinks service by arrangement by telephone.

Plan your visit