Burgenwelt Ehrenberg

About the museum

After the Duchy of Swabia fell apart in 1268, Count Meinhard II of Tyrol secured large parts of the Außerfern and had Ehrenberg Castle built to protect and administer them; the castle and the court of the same name are reliably documented in 1296. The Ehrenberger Klause barrier fortification controlled the important trade route between north and south. In the Thirty Years' War the complex, with outworks such as Fort Claudia, grew into the strongest fortress in northern Tyrol; in the 18th century the Schlosskopf fortress was added.

Ehrenberg was fought over and captured several times, for instance in 1546, 1552 and 1703. In 1782 Emperor Joseph II abandoned the fortress, and the ensemble was auctioned off and fell into decay. From the 1970s volunteers began to save the ruin, and in the 1990s the Klause was revitalised.

The Burgenwelt Ehrenberg opened in 2006. For museum visitors, the heart of it is the experience museum "Dem Ritter auf der Spur" within the walls of the Klause: in 14 rooms, themes of the age of knights and castles such as the Crusades, trade routes, alchemy, the plague and tournaments are staged with film, sound and light, and much can be touched and tried out. It tells the story of the knight Heinrich and his beloved Maria in the 14th century.

The castle ruin, the Schlosskopf fortress, Fort Claudia and the exhibition "Angriff und Verteidigung" in the Hornwerk are freely accessible. The Burgenwelt also includes inclined lifts, the suspension bridge highline179 and other leisure attractions.

Highlights

• Experience museum "Dem Ritter auf der Spur" with 14 themed rooms on the Middle Ages
• Suits of armour and helmets to try on
• Ehrenberg castle ruin, Schlosskopf fortress and Fort Claudia (freely accessible)
• Free exhibition "Angriff und Verteidigung" in the Hornwerk
• Knight Rüdiger puzzle rally and treasure hunts for children

Permanent exhibitions

• Dem Ritter auf der Spur – Experience museum in 14 rooms of the Ehrenberger Klause, showing everyday life, war, trade and superstition in the Middle Ages through staged scenes and hands-on stations.
• Angriff und Verteidigung – Free show in the casemates of the Hornwerk on siege and fortification technology from the 13th to the 18th century, with replica weapons and virtual reconstructions.

Founded

2006

Operated by

Verein Burgenwelt Ehrenberg

Admission & discounts

Free museum admission with the Reutte Aktiv Card and KönigsCard (once a day). Also accepted are, among others, the Z-Ticket, Tiroler Familienpass, ErlebnisCard Tirol, Tiroler Seniorenbund and ARBÖ club card. Museum tickets are valid on the day of purchase only. Inclined lifts, the suspension bridge highline179 and the zipline have their own rates.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The experience museum is not wheelchair accessible; the visitor centre with museum shop and restaurants are accessible without steps. The inclined lifts provide step-free access to the Hornwerk, highline179 and the Schlosskopf fortress; on the Schlosskopf there is a themed trail about 1 km long, accessible without steps, with a tactile site plan. Accessible toilets at the inclined lift stations (Euro key) and in the Gasthof Salzstadl; parking near the visitor centre is free with a parking permit.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

Knight Rüdiger puzzle rally through the museum (booklet at the visitor centre), ending with a knighting or appointment as a castle maiden and a certificate; plus three outdoor treasure hunts. Castle playground with the dragon "Feuermaul" opposite the visitor centre. The museum and castle ruin are not suitable for pushchairs, the inclined lifts are. Changing table at the valley station of the Ehrenberg Liner and in the Gasthof Salzstadl.

Getting there & parking

By car via the Fernpass road B179, exit Burgenwelt Ehrenberg. According to the museum, line 9 runs on weekdays; different timetables apply on weekends and public holidays. Overnight stays in the car parks are not permitted.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Gasthof Salzstadl with Tyrolean cuisine, Café Klause and Panoramica; museum shop in the visitor centre (accessible without admission). Hotel-Gasthof Klause with rooms directly on the site.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Ehrenberg Arena for concerts, balls, presentations and markets; Ehrenberg-Schenke and -Keller for celebrations and weddings; Bretterkapelle for readings, seminars and wedding ceremonies.

Plan your visit