Schifffahrtsmuseum Spitz an der Donau
Museum in the baroque Erlahof on the technology and history of historic Danube shipping in the age of wooden boats and rafts.
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About the museum
The Schifffahrtsmuseum is located in the Erlahof, the former farmyard of the Bavarian Niederaltaich Abbey in Spitz. The monastery acquired the estate in 1147 and later expanded it into an economic and reading estate; the complex took on its Baroque form towards the end of the 17th and in the first third of the 18th century. On the upper floor is the stucco-decorated Prälatensaal (prelates' hall), dated 1731.
The shipping museum opened in the Erlahof in 1970; it is now run by an association. It is devoted to non-motorized inland navigation on the Danube. The Danube was a trade route long before our era, a border river for the Romans, and in the Middle Ages the center of East-West trade. Until steamships were introduced around the middle of the 19th century, ships and rafts were built exclusively of wood.
The exhibition "Stromabwärts. Stromaufwärts." features numerous ship models at a scale of 1:20, audio and video stations and a multimedia show; flow tanks illustrate the technology.
Highlights
- Historic Danube shipping in the age of wooden boats and rafts
- Numerous ship models at a scale of 1:20
- Audio and video stations and a multimedia show
- Baroque Prälatensaal (prelates' hall) from 1731 in the Erlahof
Permanent exhibition
- Historische Donauschifffahrt – Stromabwärts. Stromaufwärts. – Technology and history of wooden shipping and rafting on the Danube, with ship models, audio and video stations and a multimedia show.
- Founded
- 1970
- Operated by
- Verein Schifffahrtsmuseum
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5Children, students, people doing military or civilian service |
| Children & teens | €5 |
| Seniors | €6From age 65 with ID. |
| Students & apprentices | €5Students, people doing military or civilian service. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €6 per personGroups from 10 people, price per person; children's groups €4.50 per person. |
| Children's groups (from 10 people, per person) | €4.50 |
| Tour from 16 people (surcharge per person) | €2For up to 15 people, €30 per tour |
Free admission with the Niederösterreich-CARD (not valid for groups).
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Spitz/Hinterhaus · 800 m
Bus line WL1 from Melk station to the Spitz/Hinterhaus stop; Wachau railway to Spitz station.
By car
Parking available
Parking directly in front of the house.
The museum is on Ottenschlägerstraße (L217); about 20 minutes on foot from Spitz station, close to the Danube cycle path.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Weddings / ceremonies
The Baroque Prälatensaal can be rented for civil marriage ceremonies (hall rental €120; each additional started hour after the first hour €100). A reception (Agape) can also be held in the house afterwards. Information from the Spitz civil registry office or the museum.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Tours in German, English, French and Spanish by appointment, by email or telephone. |
