Burg Wels

About the museum

Wels Castle was originally the administrative seat of a large estate held by the sovereign. Its core, with walls several metres thick, probably dates back to the 12th century. For about four centuries the complex belonged to the Habsburgs; Emperor Maximilian I had it rebuilt in the late Gothic style between 1504 and 1514 and died in one of its rooms on 12 January 1519.

In 1653 the castle passed as a gift to the Princes of Auersperg, who sold it in 1865 to the Wels entrepreneur Ludwig Hinterschweiger. He ran a margarine factory in it, for which the east wing was built. In 1937 the city of Wels acquired the building, which has served as a museum since 1954. For the Upper Austrian Provincial Exhibition of 1983 the castle was comprehensively renovated and has since been used exclusively for cultural purposes.

Today the castle is part of the Wels city museums. The permanent exhibition on the city's history leads through some 1,000 years of Wels with models, dioramas, films and original installations such as a shop fitting, an inn parlour and a living kitchen – from market and trading town to trade-fair city. A special feature is the Kaiser-Panorama of 1903, a stereoscopic circular panorama that is the only one of its kind in Austria preserved in its original state and shows image series that change monthly. The castle also houses the Museum of the Expellees; events take place in the castle courtyard.

Highlights

• Place of death of Emperor Maximilian I (1519)
• Kaiser-Panorama: Austria's only originally preserved stereoscopic circular panorama
• Original installations such as a shop fitting, inn parlour and living kitchen
• Models and dioramas on urban and transport development
• Free puzzle rally for children

Permanent exhibitions

• Stadtgeschichte Wels – Tour through some 1,000 years of Wels history with models, dioramas, films and original room installations, from market town to trade-fair city and the upheavals of the 20th century.
• Kaiser-Panorama – Historic stereoscopic circular panorama of 1903, where up to 25 people view three-dimensional glass images; the image series changes monthly.
• Museum der Heimatvertriebenen – Culture and history of the Danube Swabians, Sudeten Germans and Carpathian Germans, Transylvanian Saxons and Bukovina Germans; currently temporarily closed.

Operated by

Stadt Wels (Welser Stadtmuseen)

Admission & discounts

Besides the regular rate, the price list of the Wels city museums also names a reduced rate.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• 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

Step-free access, wheelchair-accessible lift and accessible toilets; heritage protection restricts accessibility in places.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Kids’ birthday parties

Free puzzle rally with Elsie and Ovil (puzzle sheet at the ticket desk, small reward). Children's birthday parties for ages 6 to 12 with a castle tour or bread baking.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with publications of the city museums, specialist and children's books and gift items.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Rooms of the castle and the castle courtyard can be rented for events.

Plan your visit