Schloss Stainz

About the museum

In 1229 the Wildonier family founded an Augustinian canons' monastery on the Stainz castle hill. Under Provost Jakob Rosolenz, construction of a new church and monastery began around 1600, and the complex was completed in the Baroque period. Emperor Joseph II dissolved the monastery in 1785; afterwards the state used it at times as barracks and a military hospital, and it fell increasingly into disrepair.

In 1840 Archduke Johann bought the lordship of Stainz, had the castle repaired and established exemplary agriculture with orchards and vineyards; in 1850 he even became mayor of the market town. The castle still belongs to his descendants, the Meran family.

Museum use began in 1974 with an agricultural display collection as a branch of the Styrian Museum of Folk Life, which emerged from a provincial exhibition in 1966. In 2003 the Joanneum's hunting collection moved from Schloss Eggenberg to Stainz, where the new Hunting Museum opened in 2006; the newly redesigned Agricultural Museum followed in 2009. Since May 2024 the Archduke Johann Museum has complemented the site on around 650 square metres.

Today the Universalmuseum Joanneum shows three permanent exhibitions here with a shared ticket: hunting as cultural and natural history, the development of Styrian agriculture and forestry, and the life and work of the founder of the Joanneum. The Hunting Museum and the Agricultural Museum hold the Austrian Museum Seal of Quality.

Highlights

• Hunting Museum with falconry and weapons collections and a stalking trail with animal sounds
• Agricultural Museum with a hands-on lab and microscopes
• Archduke Johann Museum with original documents, paintings and watercolours
• Baroque Diana Hall with ceiling fresco
• Outdoor grounds with a traditional orchard meadow, forge and experimental field

Permanent exhibitions

• Jagdmuseum – Cultural history of hunting from the Stone Age to today with weapons, a falconry collection, paintings and folk medicine; on the upper floor a stalking trail on wildlife ecology, tracks and animal sounds.
• Landwirtschaftsmuseum – In 15 rooms the development of Styrian agriculture and forestry is shown – from simple tools to questions about the future, with a hands-on lab.
• Erzherzog Johann Museum – Seven themed rooms on the life, family, reforms and travels of Archduke Johann with original documents, paintings and digital stations.

Founded

1974

Operated by

Universalmuseum Joanneum GmbH

Director

Barbara Müller

Admission & discounts

One ticket is valid for all three museums in the castle (one admission per calendar day). 24h/48h ticket, annual ticket and Club Joanneum are valid at all Joanneum venues.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Barrier-free according to a CEDOS inspection: main entrance step-free or via a ramp, lift to the exhibition rooms, accessible toilet. The exhibition rooms have ample space for wheelchairs; media and audio stations with headphones. Certain objects such as fur and feathers may be touched. A loan transport wheelchair is available free of charge against photo ID at the ticket desk; no induction loop system. Tours and workshops for people with disabilities by prior appointment.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities: not available
• Kids’ birthday parties

"Klub für Frechdachse" with workshops for children aged 6 to 14, summer days as a holiday programme and family tours at weekends. Children's birthday parties in the Hunting or Agricultural Museum. Hands-on stations such as animal sounds, animal tracks and microscopes. According to CEDOS, no changing table.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A2, exit Lieboch, then on the B76 towards Deutschlandsberg to the Stainz turn-off and via Grazer Straße and Klosterhöhe to Schlossplatz. The Mariazeller Weg and the Archduke Johann Water Discovery Trail pass by the castle.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check

Schloss Café Stainz in the castle (separate operator, open seasonally). Museum shop with games, children's and specialist books, publications and regional products during museum opening hours.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit