Heimatmuseum Rother Hof Pottendorf

About the museum

The Rother Hof was built in the 15th century as a court and administrative building under the lords of Zinzendorf. It then changed owners several times: from the Rauch von Rauchenberg family to the Counts Nádasdy and Starhemberg, and finally to the Counts Esterházy, who owned the house from 1803 to 1991 and used it as the residence of the estate's stewards. It takes its name from the Baroque façade with red window frames. Since 1991, the building has belonged to the municipality of Pottendorf; since 1997, it has housed the local history museum.

The Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Heimatforschung und Heimatpflege (Working Group for Local History Research and Heritage Preservation), founded in 1992, developed the concept and built up the museum through many hours of volunteer work. Today, the house displays around 1,400 exhibits and about 30 information panels across 24 rooms: documents on the roughly 900-year history of Pottendorf, extensive documentation of industrial history with original images from the Thornton family, a restored painted wooden ceiling from the 16th/17th century, dungeon cells about 300 years old, a fire brigade museum, a Greißlerei (traditional general store) and an exhibition of regional artists. An archive with literature on municipal history complements the offerings.

Highlights

• 24 rooms with around 1,400 exhibits on the history of Pottendorf
• Documentation of industrial history with original images from the Thornton family
• Restored painted wooden ceiling from the 16th/17th century
• Dungeon cells about 300 years old
• Fire brigade museum and historic Greißlerei (general store)

Permanent exhibitions

• Heimatmuseum: Ortsgeschichte und Industrie – Local history of Pottendorf over 900 years, industrial history with images of the Thornton family, dungeon cells, painted wooden ceiling and regional art.
• Feuerwehrmuseum – Dedicated display on the history of the fire brigade in the Rother Hof.

Founded

1997

Operated by

Marktgemeinde Pottendorf (Betrieb durch die ARGE für Heimatforschung und Heimatpflege)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission by voluntary donation.

Accessibility

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

The building, over 500 years old and under heritage protection, is not barrier-free. Strollers can be parked under cover.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A3, exit Pottendorf, and the B60. Bike racks are available.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit