Museum für Volkskultur (Spittal an der Drau)
Folk culture museum on two floors of Porcia Castle with around 20,000 objects on the culture of Upper Carinthia and a walk-on Carinthia panorama.
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About the museum
The Museum of Folk Culture is run by the Bezirksheimatmuseum Spittal an der Drau association and has been located in the top two floors of Porcia Castle since 1958. The Renaissance castle was built from 1533, completed in 1597, and is regarded as one of the most beautiful Renaissance buildings in the Alps because of its three-storey arcades; it has belonged to the town of Spittal since 1951.
The collection comprises around 20,000 exhibits that come exclusively from donations by the people of Upper Carinthia. They are arranged in about 40 themed areas and show how people lived and worked in the high mountains: from folk beliefs and customs through toys and school history to crafts, mining, agriculture and the beginnings of tourism. In the attic you can see, among other things, a smoke kitchen, a farmhouse parlour and large agricultural implements.
The museum is especially known for its media installations, including the walk-on Carinthia panorama of about 200 square metres, a 3D panorama cinema and films on alpine pasture life and hydropower. The museum has received several awards, including the European Museum Prize in 1995 and the Austrian Museum Seal of Quality.
Highlights
- Walk-on Carinthia panorama (about 200 m²) with magnifying lenses
- 3D panorama cinema "Impressions of Upper Carinthia"
- Around 20,000 objects on customs, folk beliefs, crafts and everyday life
- Smoke kitchen, farmhouse parlour and burgher's parlour in the attic
- Model of the Tauern Railway
Permanent exhibitions
- Ausstellungen im 2. Stock – Themed rooms on folk beliefs, customs, toys and other aspects of Upper Carinthian folk culture.
- Ausstellungen im Dachgeschoss – Historic living rooms such as the smoke kitchen, farmhouse parlour and burgher's parlour, as well as large agricultural implements with cinema films.
- Kärnten Panorama – Walk-on aerial image of Carinthia covering about 200 square metres, with magnifying lenses for zooming in.
- Founded
- 1958
- Operated by
- Verein Bezirksheimatmuseum Spittal an der Drau
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5Children, pupils, people with disabilities |
| Children & teens | €5 |
| Visitors with disabilities | €5Listed as "disabled persons". |
| Students & apprentices | –Reduction for students mentioned only in the group rate. |
| Groups (20+ people) | €8 per personGroups of 20 or more: adults €8, children, pupils, students and people with disabilities €4 per person. |
| Guided tour up to 20 people (flat rate) | €40Only by prior appointment. |
| Guided tour for 20 or more people | €2Price per person, in addition to admission. |
| Rail and Culture Experience Ticket (admission + train ride) | –Reduced total price, bookable online via the ÖBB Experience Tickets. |
Free admission with the Kärnten Card, Millstätter See Inclusive Card and Lungau Card.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- 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
Museum on the 2nd floor with barrier-free access via the lift on the east side; two accessible parking spaces at the Gendarmeriehof Porcia (south side of the castle).
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
Every summer the museum runs the holiday programme "MuKi – Museum für Kinder" for children aged 5 to 9 with crafts, puzzles and creative activities (2026: 3 to 5 August, contribution of €30). The museum also offers, among other things, toy and school history, a walk-on panorama and cinemas.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bahnhof Spittal-Millstätter See · 10-min walk
By train to Spittal-Millstätter See; the station is about a 10-minute walk from Porcia Castle; bus information on 05/1717 or 04762 5214-0. In the Millstätter See and Nockberge area, the shared taxi on demand Nockmobil operates.
By car
Two accessible parking spaces at the Gendarmeriehof Porcia (south side of the castle).
- Accessible parking
The museum is in the centre of Spittal in Porcia Castle; bicycle racks on site.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (DE, EN, IT, SL) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Smartphone audio guide in four languages; guided tours (also in English) only by prior appointment, also possible outside opening hours. The 3D panorama cinema shows a film of about 15 minutes. |
