Die Bachschmiede

About the museum

The house on the Mühlbach in the centre of Wals goes back to 1567, when Georg Markhner built a forge here. The Reischl family of smiths lived and worked in it for generations. At the suggestion of Sepp Forcher, the rescue of the listed building began in 1985.

After extensive renovation, the municipality of Wals-Siezenheim opened the Bachschmiede in 2008 as a museum and cultural centre. Besides the museum, it includes a cultural hall with up to 309 seats for concerts, theatre and lectures; the house is operated by Bachschmiede GesmbH.

The museum comprises 13 rooms. At its heart is the restored forge of the Reischl family, set up as a demonstration forge with tools from the 19th century, bellows and hearth; in the former horseshoe chamber is a horseshoe collection of the Ebner family from Loig. Together with the Salzburg Museum and the University of Salzburg, an exhibition tells of 5,000 years of history of the Wals area with a focus on the Roman period, and another is devoted to the Roman palatial villa of Loig. Also included are a tunnel with memories of contemporary witnesses of the wartime, a collection of historic toys and changing special exhibitions.

Highlights

• Restored demonstration forge of the Reischl family
• Exhibition on the Roman palatial villa of Loig
• 5,000 years of the cultural landscape of Wals-Siezenheim
• Tunnel with contemporary witness accounts from the wartime
• Collection of historic toys
• “Zeitstein” (time stone) made of Untersberg marble in front of the house

Permanent exhibitions

• 5000 Jahre Kulturraum Wals-Siezenheim – An interactive journey through time from the Ice Age to the present with finds and research results from the municipality, focusing on the Roman period; created with the Salzburg Museum and the University of Salzburg.
• Die alte Schmiede & der Stollen – The restored demonstration forge with historic tools and a horseshoe collection, as well as a tunnel in which contemporary witnesses tell of their wartime experiences.
• Die römische Palastvilla von Loig – Selected finds and a virtual reconstruction of one of the largest known Roman country estates, discovered in Loig.

Founded

2008

Operated by

Die Bachschmiede GesmbH

Admission & discounts

With the Salzburg Card, adult admission is reduced by €1 (according to Tourismus Salzburg).

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

According to the house, almost all areas are accessible by wheelchair; the cultural hall has an induction loop system.

Kids & families

Children up to age 15 have free admission; the house has a collection of historic toys.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available

Drinks and small snacks only around events in the cultural hall.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties: not available
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies: not available

Up to 309 guests.

Cultural hall and further rooms for seminars, corporate presentations, conferences and exhibitions (up to 309 seats theatre-style, 160 banquet, 84 classroom seating); for business and public purposes only, no private celebrations.

Plan your visit