Montafoner Heimatmuseum Schruns

About the museum

The Montafoner Heimatmuseum (Montafon Local History Museum) has existed since 1906 and is among the oldest museums of its kind in the Alpine region. Since 1978 it has been housed in the stone house, about 500 years old, on the Kirchplatz in Schruns. The oldest parts of the building date from the 15th century; during the mining boom the mining judge, who passed judgement on the miners, lived here. Around 1800 the house was extended, and later some rooms served as a district prison and as a music school.

The museum shows cultural heritage from the whole valley. An originally furnished flat consisting of kitchen, chamber and parlour conveys traditional living culture; the probably oldest Montafon table dates from 1712. In the vaulted cellars, old workshops and a hammer forge have been set up, and on the first floor there is a historic mountain schoolroom. A multimedia exhibition is devoted to the Montafon costume, another to textile processing and contemporary fashion. The "Zelle" (cell) recalls the use as a prison and deals with the Nazi era in the Montafon; in the shed stand an alpine dairy and probably the largest chimney hood in Vorarlberg.

The building also houses the Montafon Archive and a specialist library, which are open for study purposes by prior appointment. Several special exhibitions each year round out the offering; since 2024 the museum has held the Austrian Ecolabel.

Highlights

• Originally furnished flat with kitchen, chamber and parlour and the probably oldest Montafon table (1712)
• Traditional workshops and hammer forge in the vaulted cellar
• Multimedia exhibition on the history of the Montafon costume
• Historic mountain schoolroom and the "Zelle" on the Nazi era
• Alpine dairy and Vorarlberg's largest chimney hood in the shed

Permanent exhibitions

• Traditionelle Bekleidung? Neue Perspektiven auf die Geschichte der Montafoner Tracht – The multimedia exhibition shows the Montafon costume from new perspectives and has been on view again since 2025.
• WohlWolle – textiles Kulturerbe und zeitgenössische Mode – The show examines textile processing as a subject closely linked to the history of the valley.
• Zelle: NS-Zeit im Montafon – In the building's former prison cell, the period of the Nazi regime in the Montafon is addressed.

Founded

1906

Operated by

Stand Montafon (Montafoner Museen)

Admission & discounts

The combined ticket (€9, seniors €8) is valid for four museums: Schruns, Gaschurn, Silbertal and Bartholomäberg. Free admission or discounts for, among others, members of the Heimatschutzverein Montafon, with the Montafon Brandnertal WildPass (multi-day summer pass), V-CARD (summer), ISIC, ICOM, Museumsbund Österreich, Kulturpass Vorarlberg, Starcard Vorarlberg, and with the Teacher Identity Card for compulsory-school teachers in Vorarlberg. With the Montafon guest card the combined ticket costs €7 instead of €9. Guided tour flat rate €60 per group plus €5 per person.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: not available
• 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

The foyer level can be reached from the main entrance via a flat, paved path; the upper and lower floors have no lift. The toilets in the basement (via the inner courtyard) are not accessible because of narrow doors. The museum is in the pedestrian zone; there are no designated disabled parking spaces, but by arrangement access is possible up to the iron gate between Café Haller and Gössl Moden or to the inner courtyard. Seating throughout the building.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Kids’ birthday parties

Museum rally for children; the Montafon museums offer children's birthday parties with a guided tour, juice and a snack on request.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with books; 10% discount on book purchases when arriving by public transport.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit