Museum der Völker

About the museum

The Museum der Völker (Museum of Peoples) came into being in 1995, when the Schwaz photographer, author and journalist Gert Chesi founded the "Haus der Völker" in his home town. It was based on his collection, assembled over decades of travels through West Africa and Southeast Asia. Until 2016 Chesi directed the house himself and showed numerous temporary exhibitions on art and cultures from around the world.

The museum is located in the east of Schwaz in the St. Martin building complex. The first chapel was built there in the 15th century, followed later by a church and a convent; after the convent was dissolved, the premises were used by the mining court, as barracks, as a workhouse and, until 1991, as a state home for girls. After conversion and the construction of a modern extension, the building was reopened in 2013 as the "Museum der Völker" with around 1,000 m² of exhibition space.

At the end of 2016 Chesi donated a large part of his collection to the town of Schwaz and withdrew; since then a cultural association has run the museum with support from the town and the province. The collection grew through further donations, such as objects from Ethiopia and, in 2022, around 2,500 pieces from a private collection in Graz. The museum carries out provenance research and sees itself as a place for dialogue, education and discussion. The permanent exhibitions "Weltbilder erzählen" (Worldviews Tell Stories) and "Zwischen Himmel und Erde" (Between Heaven and Earth) are complemented by special exhibitions that change every six months.

Highlights

• Chesi collection with objects from West Africa and Southeast Asia
• Permanent exhibition "Zwischen Himmel und Erde" (Between Heaven and Earth) on Buddhism and Hinduism
• Permanent exhibition "Weltbilder erzählen" (Worldviews Tell Stories) on cultural models for explaining the world
• Modern museum extension in the historic St. Martin ensemble
• Museum café with a freely accessible part of the specialist library

Permanent exhibitions

• Weltbilder erzählen – Objects and depictions from different cultures show how people explain the origin and order of the world – presented as equals side by side and with prompts for reflection.
• Zwischen Himmel und Erde – Exhibition on Buddhism and Hinduism, starting from the life story of Siddhartha Gautama and raising questions about the good life and community.

Founded

1995

Operated by

Museum der Völker – Kulturverein

Director

Bianca Ober

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the Freizeitticket Tirol, the TVB Silberregion Karwendel guest card, the cultural pass "Hunger auf Kunst & Kultur", and for ICOM and Museumsbund members and press.

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

Exhibition areas, shop and café are accessible without steps by lift, the first exhibition level via a stairlift. Wheelchair-accessible toilet. Guided tours adapted to special needs on request.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The museum expressly welcomes families; the exhibitions include interactive stations for young visitors, as well as children's tours and workshops. Children up to 12 years have free admission.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in the rear part of the former St. Martin monastery complex in the east of Schwaz; the extension bears the lettering "Museum".

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Museum café (ABC-Café) with a freely accessible part of the specialist library; museum shop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 100 guests.

The museum café is available for readings, concerts, corporate and family events, conferences and the like for up to 70 people (with projector, screen, microphone), optionally with museum admission, guided tour and catering; depending on the exhibition programme, a hall on the 3rd floor for up to 100 people is also available. Prices on request.

Plan your visit