Schlossmuseen Mauthausen im Schloss Pragstein

About the museum

Lassla von Prag, then pledge holder of Mauthausen, had the castle built in 1492 on a rocky island in the Danube. As protection against flooding it was given a pentagonal ground plan, whose tip points west against the current like a ship's bow; originally it could only be reached by a drawbridge. The side channel that separated the island from the bank gradually silted up and was filled in around 1850.

As early as 1932 a local history museum was set up in the castle, one of the oldest of its kind in Upper Austria. It is run on a voluntary basis by the Heimat- und Museumsverein Schloss Pragstein. In 2019 the exhibition was completely redesigned with EU funding: two rooms on the second floor show highlights of the collection – from archaeological finds from the quarries to the difficult neighbourhood with the concentration camp – and the economic character of the town shaped by the Danube, the salt trade and granite. A multilingual audio guide system accompanies the tour.

Since 2007 the pharmacy museum has complemented the offering. It goes back to the pharmaceutical-history collection of the Aichberger family of pharmacists in Mauthausen and depicts the work of small rural pharmacies in the 19th century by means of a laboratory, a dispensary and a storeroom for materials and herbs. In the curiosity room on the third floor, works by the steel-engraving artist Hans Gerstmayr and smaller collections can also be seen.

Highlights

• Pentagonal moated castle from 1492 on the Danube
• Pharmacy museum with laboratory, dispensary and herb room
• Redesigned local history museum with a mammoth tooth from the quarries
• Curiosity room with works by Hans Gerstmayr
• Audio guide in four languages and with a children's track

Permanent exhibitions

• Apothekenmuseum – Staged rooms of a 19th-century rural pharmacy with laboratory, dispensary and herb room, as well as historical herbals and medicine books.
• Heimatmuseum – Two rooms on the thousand-year local history and on the question of what home means in a place like Mauthausen, plus the Danube, salt and granite as economic factors.
• Raritätenkammer – A small exhibition about the steel-engraving artist Hans Gerstmayr, as well as collections of clocks, minerals and hunting trophies.

Founded

1932

Operated by

Heimat- und Museumsverein Schloss Pragstein Mauthausen

Admission & discounts

One ticket is valid for both museums, audio guide or registered guided tour included. With the Donau.Erlebnis.Card 50% discount, with a voucher from DonauTouristik €5, the Maut-Taler reduces admission by €1. Supporting association members (€12 per year) have free admission.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• 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

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

The audio guide has its own children's track with child-friendly explanations; the association also organises events for children.

Getting there & parking

By car via the motorway exit Enns/St. Valentin and about 8 km towards Mauthausen.

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