Besucherkraftwerk Ybbs-Persenbeug

About the museum

Ybbs-Persenbeug is Austria's oldest Danube power plant and is considered a symbol of reconstruction after World War II. With seven turbines, approximately 200 kilometers of cable and about 1.3 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity generation, it is the fourth-strongest power plant on the Austrian Danube; it is operated by VERBUND.

The power plant opened to visitors in 2006 when the municipality of Persenbeug-Gottsdorf started a guided tour project and specially trained VERBUND guides. Cyclists on the Danube bike path especially used the offer. In 2012, the operating association Donaukraftwerksführungen Ybbs-Persenbeug was founded, which includes VERBUND, the municipalities of Ybbs and Persenbeug-Gottsdorf, viadonau and regional businesses.

Since then, the offerings have been continuously expanded: new exhibition rooms with models, short films and interactive stations, a treasure hunt for children, a dedicated school program, and viewing of the ship lock in the open air complement the classic guided tour through the engine hall and historic control room. The tour explains the Danube and its power plant chain, the structure of the facility, how the turbines work, monitoring and control, cleaning of the racks and changes in electricity consumption. At the lock viewing on the left bank, visitors learn how ships pass the weir and what tasks lock management has.

Highlights

• Engine hall with generators of Austria's oldest Danube power plant
• Historic control room
• Models, short films and interactive stations on electricity generation
• Viewing of the ship lock in the open air
• Treasure hunt for families with elementary school children

Permanent exhibition

• Erlebnisführung Wasserkraftwerk – Guided tour through engine hall, control room and exhibition spaces where models, short films and hands-on stations explain the structure, construction history and electricity generation of the Danube power plant.

Founded

2006

Operated by

Betreiberverein Donaukraftwerksführungen Ybbs-Persenbeug (Kraftwerk: VERBUND)

Admission & discounts

Prices apply to experience tour and treasure hunt. With the Niederösterreich-CARD the experience tour is free, with lock 4 €. School classes visit the power plant free as part of VERBUND Power School. Discounts only with ID; payment in cash or card.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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

Not barrier-free: steps in entrance area and in front of engine hall, tour route (approx. 590 m) leads over two floors. The elevator may only be used in exceptional cases (e.g., with walking stick or foot injury) and is not in operation on weekends and public holidays. Step stools at all stations. To the lock leads a short, steep descent – unsuitable for wheelchair users.

Kids & families

Great for kids & familiesRecommended for ages 8+

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available

Experience tour recommended from about age 8. Families with elementary school children can participate in "Lizzy's Treasure Hunt" (60–75 minutes, registration required) on selected dates. Interactive stations let young researchers experiment. Not stroller-friendly.

Getting there & parking

A1, Ybbs exit, then via B25 through Ybbs; before the Danube bridge turn left on L91 toward Donaudorf. Tour starts in the operations building on the right Danube bank (Ybbs side). Directly on the Danube bike path; from Ybbs train station by bike about 18 minutes.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check: not available
• Lockers

No coat check, but lockable lockers for personal items. Restrooms on ground floor of entrance area, not on tour route or at lock. Café of Weinberger bakery nearby.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit