Freilichtmuseum Hackenschmiede
Water-wheel-powered hatchet forge with demonstration forging in Bad Wimsbach-Neydharting, showing the use of water power.
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About the museum
The Hackenschmiede in Bad Wimsbach-Neydharting is one of the oldest forges in Austria. According to tradition, a master hatchet smith was already making hatchets here in 1604; it is reliably mentioned in 1644 in the Wimsbach parish registers. The trade brought some masters prestige and considerable prosperity.
In 1968 the Bad Wimsbach-Neydharting cultural association bought the forge from the last master smith, it was renovated from 1975, and in 1978 it opened as an open-air museum. Its special feature: it is a fully functional facility that uses the flow energy of the Wimbach stream with three undershot water wheels.
The smallest wheel drives the bellows of 1865, which blow air into the three hearths until the iron becomes soft at over 1,000 degrees. The middle wheel sets a grindstone and a drilling machine in motion. The largest wheel, with a diameter of 3.1 metres, a six-metre-long wheel shaft and two tail hammers, is the showpiece. Many tools and hand-forged products are displayed inside; at forging demonstrations, guests see how glowing iron is shaped and, if interested, can join in the forging themselves.
Highlights
- Three water wheels drive the bellows, grindstone and hammers
- Largest wheel with a 3.1 m diameter and two tail hammers
- Forging demonstrations with the chance to join in
- One of the oldest forges in Austria
Permanent exhibition
- Wasserradbetriebene Hackenschmiede – Fully functional forge with three water wheels, bellows, tail hammers, tools and hand-forged products.
- Founded
- 1978
- Operated by
- Kulturverein Bad Wimsbach-Neydharting
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €8.50 |
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| Children & teens | €6.50Children up to 15 years. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €7.50 per personGroups of 10 or more, price per person; plus flat fee for demonstration forging (€75). |
| Children's group of 10 or more (per person) | €5.50Plus flat fee for demonstration forging (€75). |
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- 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
Kids & families
- Hands-on stations
At forging demonstrations, visitors can join in the forging themselves.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
20 parking spaces, 1 disabled parking space and 1 coach parking space (according to the Traunsee-Almtal tourist board).
- Accessible parking
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
| Good to know | Registration required for groups; forging demonstrations can be booked for groups as a flat-rate package. |
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