Erlebnis Perlmutt Manufaktur
Austria's last mother-of-pearl workshop in Felling near Hardegg: film, factory tour, exhibition on mother-of-pearl, plus shop and café.
No sound? Check your device’s silent switch.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The workshop in Felling was founded in 1911 by Rudolf Marchart, who at first processed mussels from the Thaya and March rivers. When local stocks ran out, Bruno Marchart began importing sea shells and snails in 1953. To this day they are made into shirt buttons, traditional costume buttons and jewellery.
The family business is now run by the fifth generation and is the only mother-of-pearl turnery still existing in Austria, whereas there were once almost a hundred such businesses in the country.
Under the name "Erlebnis Perlmutt Manufaktur" the company invites visitors for tours: a short film and a talk are followed by a self-guided walk through the production area and the exhibition "PERLMUTT, der Schatz aus dem Meer" (Mother-of-pearl, the treasure from the sea). A shop with a café corner, a terrace with what the business says is the world's largest mother-of-pearl button, and a playground round off the offering. The entrance area was redesigned to be barrier-free after renovation.
Highlights
- Austria's only mother-of-pearl workshop (founded 1911)
- Insight into button and jewellery production
- Exhibition "PERLMUTT, der Schatz aus dem Meer"
- Film and talk before the tour
- Shop, café corner, terrace and playground
Permanent exhibition
- PERLMUTT, der Schatz aus dem Meer – Exhibition on mother-of-pearl as a raw material, on mussels and on their processing; complemented by the walk through the production area.
- Founded
- 1911
- Operated by
- RM Perlmuttdesign GmbH
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €8.50 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €5.50free up to age 5 · Children and school groups aged 6 to 15 (max. 25 children) |
| Groups (20+ people) | €6.50 per personFrom 20 paying persons, only with a single total payment (anniversary price 2026); the NÖ-CARD does not apply to groups. |
| Families | €262 adults and max. 2 children up to 15 years |
Prices valid until 31 December 2026, including 13% VAT. Included are the film screening and the tour with exhibition. With the Niederösterreich-CARD, free admission once for individual visitors (not for coach groups). The shop and café are also accessible during opening hours without a tour. Reserve online in advance; payment on site.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- 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
New barrier-free entrance; shop, exhibition and terrace are barrier-free. Wheelchair-accessible toilet in the outdoor area; the playground is difficult to navigate by wheelchair alone.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 45 min |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
| Family ticket | €26 · 2 adults and max. 2 children up to 15 years |
- Playground / play area
Playground with a "Knopferl" (little button) sandbox and photo point outdoors; family ticket.
Getting there & parking
By car
- Accessible parking
Amenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
150 m² shop with silver jewellery, gifts and buttons; coffee corner with Waldviertel poppy seed and nut pastries; sunny terrace.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Film and talk in German only; the exhibition is also labelled in Czech. A tour outside the guided tour times is not possible. Online reservation up to one hour before the start. If a coach group has registered, slots for individual visitors cannot be booked. Dogs are allowed at your own responsibility; the production area can be loud. |
