5-Elemente-Museum im Schloss Rothschild

About the museum

The oldest walls of the castle on the Ybbs date from the 13th century; the mighty keep was built around 1400. From 1365 until secularisation in 1802 the castle was the administrative seat of the Bishops of Freising, after which it fell increasingly into disrepair. In 1875 the banker Albert Salomon von Rothschild bought the complex and had it rebuilt in the neo-Gothic style from 1881, with the involvement of Friedrich von Schmidt from 1887.

In 1943 the castle passed to the town of Waidhofen, and from 1949 to 2002 it housed a forestry school. For the Lower Austrian Provincial Exhibition 2007, Hans Hollein redesigned the building and added a glass superstructure to the tower.

Since 2007 the 5-Elemente-Museum has presented the history of Waidhofen as a centre of the Eisenwurzen. The themes of metal, fire, water, wood and earth tell of forges, hammer mills, charcoal and trade. The display is complemented by a visible storage area with the collection built up by the Musealverein since 1905 and the Mostviertel Toy World; the castle tower serves as a viewing point.

Highlights

• Themed areas of metal, fire, water, wood and earth on the Eisenwurzen
• Visible storage with the Musealverein's collection since 1905
• Mostviertel Toy World with historic toys
• VR experience included in the museum ticket
• Castle tower with glass superstructure by Hans Hollein and panoramic view over the town

Permanent exhibitions

• 5-Elemente-Museum – The exhibition tells the history of the town and region along the elements of metal, fire, water, wood and earth – from iron processing to trade.
• Schaudepot – Objects from the Musealverein's collection with a connection to the region, presented independently of the elements structure.
• Mostviertler Spielzeugwelt – Historic toys, including figures and miniature worlds from the Karl Wilhelm collection and everyday items from the Kaltenbrunner collection.

Founded

2007

Operated by

Stadt Waidhofen an der Ybbs

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the Niederösterreich-CARD. The VR experience is included in the museum ticket.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• 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

According to the operator, the museum is fully barrier-free; the castle cellar and castle tower (cube) are not barrier-free.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Playful experiments and staged installations for all age groups, the Mostviertel Toy World, and tours for children and toddlers for groups.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A1 (exit Amstetten West or Oed), then the B121 to Waidhofen an der Ybbs.

Amenities & dining

Catering in the castle by the Schlosswirt.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Numerous rooms such as the Kristallsaal, Salon Albert, Salon Louis, Kaminzimmer, Schwarze Kuchl, castle cellar, pavilion, castle courtyard and castle park, as well as the cube and castle tower, for seminars, celebrations and civil or non-religious weddings.

Plan your visit