Cowboymuseum Fatsy

About the museum

The Cowboymuseum Fatsy was founded in 1991 in Pichling on the south-eastern edge of Linz. It was established by Hans Jörg “Fatsy” Ratzenböck, who has looked after the house as curator ever since and personally guides visitors through the rooms. The collection is sustained by the association First Country and Western Club Austria.

Together with his wife Ilse, the founder travelled the American West for many years, following the routes of the historic cattle trails over tens of thousands of kilometres. Many of the objects and stories now seen and told in the museum come from these journeys.

The museum is housed in a building around 500 years old. More than 5,000 exhibits show everyday life in the Wild West: saddles, spurs, boots and hats, historic weapons, carriages, an original chuck wagon, Native American clothing and feather headdresses, a drugstore and even dental tools from the pioneer era. Staged rooms such as the sheriff's office, a cattle baron's room or a cowboy school bring the world of cowboys, settlers and Native Americans to life.

For its work, the museum has received numerous awards, including several Heads-Up Awards from the American Westerners International and the Culture Medal of the City of Linz. On open weekends there are themed tours, for example on settler women, outlaws or Native American beadwork.

Highlights

• Original chuck wagon (kitchen wagon of the cattle trails)
• Sheriff's office and cattle baron's room
• Saddles, spurs, hats and historic weapons
• Native American clothing, beadwork and feather headdresses
• Horseshoe pitching and lasso throwing after the tour

Founded

1991

Operated by

First Country and Western Club Austria

Director

Hans Jörg „Fatsy“ Ratzenböck (Kustos)

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations

After the tour, children and adults can try horseshoe pitching, lasso throwing at a wooden horse and the game “Boots into the Barrel”.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A1, exit Asten, then continue towards Linz; at the Pichling bathing lake turn right towards Südpark.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit