Historische Hammerschmiede Vils

About the museum

The hammer forge in Vils in the Tyrolean Außerfern goes back to the Middle Ages. It belonged to Vilsegg Castle and served the Knights of Hohenegg, a noble family from the Allgäu, as a weapons forge between the 13th and 17th centuries. The smith came from the area around Bad Hindelang. The works remained in commercial operation until 1960 and today is considered a cultural rarity in this form for the whole of Tyrol.

The ensemble lies idyllically below the castle ruins, next to the Romanesque St. Anna church. The building still contains three water wheels, the forge hearth, three forging hammers, a cam shaft, two bellows, transmissions and various tools and machines. During the tours part of the works is still put into operation.

Besides the technology of the forge, the permanent exhibition includes the workshop of the smith Engelbert Hartmann, field postcards from the First World War and a collection of metal finds, including finds from the old salt road. A separate section tells of the visits of the Bavarian royal family: between 1860 and 1890, Maximilian II, Queen Marie and their sons, among them the later Ludwig II, repeatedly came from Hohenschwangau Castle to visit the Hartmann family at St. Anna.

The cultural association VilsArt looks after the preservation and renovation of the forge and organises the tours.

Highlights

• Three historic water wheels, forge hearth and three forging hammers
• Former weapons forge of the Knights of Hohenegg
• Partial operation of the works during tours
• Permanent exhibition on the smith Engelbert Hartmann and the visits of the Bavarian royal family
• Location next to St. Anna church below the Vilsegg castle ruins

Operated by

VilsArt Kulturverein

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Getting there & parking

The museum is located at Ritterweg 15, directly on the cycling and hiking trail between Reutte and Pfronten.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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