Schlossmuseum Peuerbach

About the museum

Around 1370 the Counts of Schaunberg had a first castle built in Peuerbach; their dynasty shaped the castle and market town until 1559. In 1571 a fire destroyed the complex together with its famous library and armoury. The new owner Gundaker von Starhemberg had it rebuilt within three years as an impressive Renaissance castle, of which only a torso survives today. The town and castle also played a significant role in the Upper Austrian Peasants' Wars of the 16th and 17th centuries.

In 1976 the municipality of Peuerbach took over the castle, renovated it and set up a Peasants' War museum. In 1987 the Upper Austrian Provincial Nativity Scene was added, and in 2000 an exhibition on the astronomer Georg von Peuerbach, born in Peuerbach in 1423, who is regarded as the world's first university professor of astronomy.

For the cultural project communale OÖ 2023, which honoured the scholar's 600th birthday, the museum was completely redesigned. Since April 2024 it has shown the exhibition "Kosmos.Neue Welten" on the life, research and legacy of Georg von Peuerbach, supplemented by an astronomy exhibition by the Gahberg Observatory. In the castle park stands the Kometor, a walk-in art sculpture by the artist couple Hebenstreit that links art and the cosmos.

Highlights

• Exhibition "Kosmos.Neue Welten" on the astronomer Georg von Peuerbach (1423–1461)
• Astronomy exhibition by the Gahberg Observatory
• Upper Austrian Provincial Nativity Scene with over 200 figures in traditional costume
• Kometor: walk-in art sculpture in the castle park
• Supergalactic family weekends with tours and workshops

Permanent exhibitions

• Kosmos.Neue Welten – Georg von Peuerbach und sein Vermächtnis – Since April 2024 the exhibition has shown the life and research of the astronomer Georg von Peuerbach and his influence on later generations, from sundials to space travel.
• Astronomieausstellung der Sternwarte Gahberg – Complementary exhibition on astronomy, designed by the Gahberg Observatory.
• OÖ Landeskrippe – Regional nativity scene with the four Upper Austrian quarters, typical farmstead types and over 200 figures in traditional costume at festivals and customs.

Founded

1976

Operated by

Stadtgemeinde Peuerbach

Admission & discounts

Admission covers the castle museum and the Kometor.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Supergalactic family weekends with an astronomy workshop (inflatable planetarium of the Gahberg Observatory) and a special tour for children aged 8 and over; no supervision is provided during the children's programme. Family ticket available.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the castle at Rathausplatz 2; for travel by public transport, the Verbund Oberösterreichischer Museen recommends the OÖVV journey planner.

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