K-Hof Museum Gmunden

About the museum

The Kammerhof in the centre of Gmunden dates back to the 14th century and from 1453 was the seat of the sovereign's salt office: from here the salt official administered the production and trade of salt throughout the Salzkammergut. With the railway age the building lost importance; the town of Gmunden bought the complex in 1870, and in the early 20th century it housed apartments, shops and offices.

In 1942 the municipal museum moved into the Kammerhof. After major alterations between 1962 and 1971, the building developed into a cultural centre with expanded exhibition space, and the 2008 Upper Austrian State Exhibition on the Salzkammergut was the occasion to modernise the exhibition rooms.

Today, as the K-Hof Museum, the house shows a chronological cross-section of the history of the town and the Traunsee region in six permanent exhibitions, from the beginnings of earth history to the present. The focus is on Gmunden ceramics, one of the largest collections of sacred art in Upper Austria, and the Kammerhofgalerie for contemporary art. The house also includes the former sanitary museum “Klo & So”: the collection of historic sanitary objects from the company Laufen Austria is now shown as part of the exhibition in the K-Hof.

Highlights

• Gmunden ceramics from early times to the “Grüngeflammte” (green-flamed ware), including the ceramics lifestyle display depot
• One of the largest collections of sacred art in Upper Austria (Gothic, Baroque, Rococo)
• Town history: salt, the Salzkammergut and tourism
• “Klo & So”: collection of historic sanitary objects on the history of hygiene
• Kammerhofgalerie for contemporary art

Permanent exhibitions

• Keramik Frühzeit – Gegenwart – From prehistoric times on the north shore of the Traunsee through the timeless “Grüngeflammte” to the ceramics lifestyle display depot, this section shows the development of Gmunden ceramics.
• Stadtgeschichte – Gmunden's path to becoming a sovereign's town (1278), the importance of salt and the Salzkammergut, and the age of tourism.
• Klo & So – Historic sanitary objects from the company Laufen Austria tell of the production of sanitary ceramics and the changing standards of hygiene.

Operated by

Stadtgemeinde Gmunden

Admission & discounts

Admission also covers the “Klo & So” exhibition.

Accessibility

• Partially 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

According to the tourism portals, step-free entrance, lift and accessible toilet; the dimensions do not comply with ÖNORM standards in all rooms, and some assistance is required.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Arrival by public transport is recommended.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Museum shop in the entrance area with souvenirs, books and Gmunden ceramics; café “K-Hof8” in the entrance area.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Museum rooms can be rented for events: €228 for the first three hours, €60 for each additional hour; a representative of the municipality is present.

Plan your visit