Juppenwerkstatt Riefensberg
Workshop and museum devoted to the Bregenzerwald Juppe: on machines more than 115 years old, the glossy pleated linen of the women's costume is still made here today.
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About the museum
The Juppe, the traditional women's costume of the Bregenzerwald, is made from deep black, glued and finely pleated linen. When the last Juppe dyer retired in 1993, the traditional knowledge of this glazed linen was at risk of being lost. The machines and inventory of the former Fitz Juppe dyeworks were therefore secured and the craft was passed on to new hands.
The association Juppenwerkstatt Riefensberg was founded in 2003, and the house opened in the same year. It is located in the converted service wing of the former Krone inn in the village centre. The Bregenz architect Gerhard Gruber replaced the wooden shingles of the windowless northeast façade with glass shingles, so that the workshops and exhibition rooms receive daylight while the character of the old building is preserved.
In the manufactory, the work is still done according to old recipes: boiling, gluing, "glazing" and pleating; the glazing machine has been in use since 1909. The house also presents exhibitions on costume and textile culture, which change roughly every two years, offers courses in textile techniques and advises women who wish to have a Juppe made.
In 2021 the Juppenwerkstatt received the Austrian Museum Seal of Quality. In the same year, at its request, the production of Bregenzerwald Juppen and the wearing of the women's costume were added to Austria's inventory of UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.
Highlights
- Production of glazed linen pleats on machines more than 115 years old
- Inventory of the former Fitz Juppe dyeworks
- Glass-shingle façade by architect Gerhard Gruber
- Guided tours on request with a craftswoman at work
- Changing exhibitions on the costume and textile culture of the Bregenzerwald
Permanent exhibition
- Glanzleinen-Manufaktur – Demonstration workshop in which the black glossy pleating for the Bregenzerwald Juppe is produced in several steps on historic machines.
- Founded
- 2003
- Operated by
- Verein Juppenwerkstatt Riefensberg
- Director
- Martina Mätzler
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €9 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €8Civilian and military service personnel, students up to 24 years, pensioners, holders of the Vorarlberger Familienpass, the Gäste-Card Bregenzerwald & Großes Walsertal and VN subscribers, people with special needs |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 18 · Free admission up to 18 years |
| Seniors | €8Pensioners |
| Visitors with disabilities | €8People with special needs |
| Students & apprentices | €8up to 24 years |
| Groups (9+ people) | €13 per personTour without craftswoman for 9 or more people; up to 8 people €110 flat rate. Maximum 75 people. |
| Public guided tour (Sat and 1st Sun of the month, 10 a.m.) | €13per person, no registration required |
| Group tour with live craftwork (9 or more people) | €14per person; up to 8 people €120 flat rate |
| School class tour | €70flat rate |
| Welcome drink: sparkling wine | €4per person, with the tour |
| Welcome drink: fruit brandy | €3per person, with the tour |
Free admission with the V-Card and Kulturpass.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Riefensberg Dorf
Landbus Bregenzerwald lines 890 and 891, Riefensberg Dorf stop a few steps from the house.
Amenities & dining
Dining at the neighbouring village inns (Café Restaurant Bartle, Ristorante & Pizzeria Goldener Adler).
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 75 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Public guided tours of the workshop and exhibition last about 75 minutes, group tours 75–90 minutes, with a live demonstration by a craftswoman on request. Age-appropriate programmes and workshops are available for schools. Booked tours can be cancelled free of charge up to three days beforehand. |
