Schattenburg

About the museum

Schattenburg castle above Feldkirch was erected in the 13th century by the counts of Montfort and remained their seat until the late 14th century. In 1375, they sold the domain to the Habsburgs, who appointed governors as administrators. During the Appenzell War, the castle was taken after a long siege in 1406 and subsequently rebuilt.

In later centuries, the facility lost its original function: it served temporarily as a prison and barracks and in the 19th century as a poorhouse. In 1825, the city of Feldkirch acquired the castle and thus saved it from demolition.

In 1912, Feldkirch citizens—including painter Florus Scheel, Father Gebhard Wendelin Gunz, and city architect Franz Herles—founded a museum society, whose collection was initially housed in the Dogana. After the castle was restored, the city permanently transferred the rooms to the society in 1917, and the museum moved into Schattenburg.

Today, the local history and museum association maintains approximately 6,000 objects from the Feldkirch region. In 18 exhibition rooms, which largely convey the atmosphere of an inhabited castle without display cases, are furniture, paintings, costumes, clocks, weapons, and views of the city. From the top floor of the tower, the view extends over the old town to the Rhine valley.

Highlights

• Observation platform of the tower overlooking the Feldkirch old town
• Weapons collection by Father Gebhard Wendelin Gunz and lock collection in the tower
• Gothic room with late medieval wooden ceiling and epitaphs
• Old castle chapel with painting by Hans Huber
• Historic clocks such as Appenzell and Toggenburg spindle clocks

Permanent exhibitions

• Museumsräume der Schattenburg – Tour through furnished castle rooms such as Gothic room, Bailiff's office, Palas, Countess's room, and old castle chapel with furniture, paintings, and crafts from the region.
• Bergfried – Weapons, armor parts, and a lock collection on four floors, plus tower kitchen and guard room as well as observation platform at the top.
• Trachten- und Feldkirchzimmer – Costumes with emphasis on the development of women's bonnets as well as a cabinet full of historical views of Feldkirch.

Founded

1917

Operated by

Heimatpflege- und Museumsverein Feldkirch

Admission & discounts

Free admission with V-Card, Bodensee Vorarlberg leisure card, and Bodensee Card PLUS.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Not wheelchair accessible due to protected historical structure: ticket office and first museum level accessible via wooden staircase with 15 steps; rooms in the tower only via steep stairs. Seating available on each floor. Two disabled parking spaces at the castle parking lot; parking with pass per § 29b StVO free.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Kids’ birthday parties

Regular family tours, holiday programs, and puzzles; info booklet and coloring book "For young castle fans" (EUR 3.80). Birthday tours for ages 6–12 with treasure hunt. A public playground is a few minutes walk from the parking lot toward Göfis.

Getting there & parking

By car: highway exit Feldkirch Frastanz, direction Feldkirch, after entering town at first traffic light turn right.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

Schattenburg restaurant in the castle courtyard; visitor restrooms also there. Museum shop with souvenirs, publications, and children's items. 20 lockers; larger bags and backpacks not permitted in the museum. Mini golf facility at the castle (April–October).

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit