Stadtmuseum St. Pölten

About the museum

The origins of the city museum go back to 1879, when a motion was made in the municipal council to review and organise the municipal archive and objects of historical significance. The museum opened in 1909 after renovation work in the town hall; it later moved several times, was hastily dismantled in 1939 and, after the Second World War, initially found no rooms in which to be set up again.

In 1964 the municipal council decided to renovate the Karmeliterhof and set up a new museum there. It opened in 1976, exactly one thousand years after the first documentary mention of the place “Treisma”, based on a concept by Karl Gutkas and Johannes-Wolfgang Neugebauer. The building is a former Carmelite nunnery. In 1999 an Art Nouveau gallery was added, in 2000 the Roman section was reinstalled, and in 2004 the Art Nouveau collection moved to the first floor. In 2005 to 2007, a generous foyer, a lever lift, a glass-and-steel lift in the courtyard, a ramp and the redesigned Baroque courtyard were created; in 2008 the museum received the Austrian Museum Seal of Quality.

Since May 2026, the city's history has been told in a new, multimedia and interactive permanent exhibition laid out like a path through time: from prehistory through the Roman section with finds from Aelium Cetium, the Migration Period and the Domplatz up to the 20th century. In addition there is the Art Nouveau collection with works from the estates of the artists Andri, Andri-Hampel and Stöhr, who worked in St. Pölten, as well as the exhibition “Blick in den Schatten – kompakt” (“A Look into the Shadow – Compact”) on St. Pölten and National Socialism. The museum also regularly shows special exhibitions.

Highlights

• New permanent exhibition on city history as a path through time
• Roman section with archaeological finds from Aelium Cetium
• Art Nouveau collection with works by Ferdinand Andri, Charlotte Andri-Hampel and Ernst Stöhr
• “Blick in den Schatten – kompakt”: St. Pölten and National Socialism
• Baroque courtyard of the former Carmelite nunnery

Permanent exhibitions

• Stadtgeschichte St. Pölten – The new permanent exhibition leads, with multimedia and interactive elements, from prehistory through the Roman section of Aelium Cetium and the Middle Ages up to the 20th century.
• Jugendstil – Works by Charlotte Andri-Hampel, Ferdinand Andri, Ernst Stöhr, Hans Ofner and Joseph Maria Olbrich from the turn of the century are on display.
• Blick in den Schatten – kompakt. St. Pölten und der Nationalsozialismus – Archive material, objects and personal fates show how National Socialism had roots in St. Pölten and shaped the life of the city.

Founded

1909

Operated by

Stadt St. Pölten (Magistrat der Landeshauptstadt)

Director

Thomas Pulle

Admission & discounts

Free admission for children up to age 6, cultural mediators with ID, ICOM members, members of the Verein der Freunde des Stadtmuseums, holders of the NÖ-Card (once only, excluding special events such as the Long Night of Museums or Jazz im Hof) and through the “Hunger auf Kunst und Kultur” initiative.

Accessibility

• 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

A lever lift in the foyer and a glass-and-steel lift in the courtyard provide step-free access to the building, and a ramp leads to the museum in front of the entrance. Accessible toilet in the building.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly

For children there is a children's quiz and a children's puzzle rally, as well as workshops for school classes from primary school to upper secondary level, for example on prehistory, the Roman era, the medieval town and the Baroque, or the research lab. The old-town rally (€6 per child, 2 to 3 hours, registration required) leads through the old town and the museum. Children up to age 6 have free admission; the museum is accessible with prams and strollers.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in the centre of St. Pölten's old town; according to Museumsmanagement Niederösterreich, parking is available.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with specialist literature, exhibition catalogues, postcards, souvenirs and calendars with historical motifs; publications can also be ordered online.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit