Schlossmuseum Linz

About the museum

Linz Castle rises above the old town on the site of the Roman fort Lentia. Emperor Frederick III expanded the medieval fortress into his residence; under Rudolf II, the present four-wing building with two courtyards was built around 1600. The complex later served as an infirmary, a prison and, until 1945, as a barracks; the south wing was lost in the city fire of 1800.

After restoration in the 1950s, the Upper Austrian State Museum (Oberösterreichisches Landesmuseum) moved in: in 1963 the north wing partially opened, and in 1966 the entire castle museum, initially with historical and folk-culture collections. In 2009 the new south wing of steel and glass was added, designed by the Graz office HoG architektur. Since then it has housed the exhibitions on nature and technology and offers wide views across Linz and the Danube.

Today the OÖ Landes-Kultur GmbH runs the house, which emerged in 2020 from the State Museum and the OÖ Kulturquartier. Across more than 10,000 square meters, the displays range from prehistory to the 21st century: large dioramas and aquariums on the natural history of the province; industrial and technology history with the ASTROLAB; art from the Middle Ages to modernism, including the Kastner Collection; folk art and a large nativity collection, including the Garsten Abbey nativity. The newly designed archaeology exhibition, with finds on prehistoric pile dwellings, Hallstatt and the Danube Limes, is free to enter. Air-conditioned white-cube galleries and special exhibitions complement the offer; an expansion of the nature exhibition in the basement is planned.

Highlights

• Archaeology exhibition with free admission and the Medusa of Hallstatt
• Nature exhibition with large dioramas and live animals in aquariums
• Technology Upper Austria with the ASTROLAB for young space enthusiasts
• Kastner Collection of art and nativity scenes, including the Garsten Abbey nativity
• Glass south wing with a view across Linz and the Danube
• Elevator from the Tummelplatz directly into the museum foyer

Permanent exhibitions

• Archäologie – Urgeschichte & Römerzeit – Walk from the Neolithic to the Romans, with a treasure room, research methods, the World Heritage sites of prehistoric pile dwellings, Hallstatt and the Danube Limes, and Roman Linz; free admission.
• Natur Oberösterreich – The landscapes of the province and their animal and plant life, presented with specimens, models, large dioramas, media stations and aquariums.
• Technik Oberösterreich – Industrial, economic and technology history of the province, including a historical collection on astronomy and physics and the hands-on ASTROLAB area.

Founded

1963

Operated by

OÖ Landes-Kultur GmbH

Visitors per year

approx. 68,558 (2025)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every Wednesday 13:00–18:00 free for everyone up to age 26; every first Sunday of the month free with the OÖ Familienkarte. The archaeology permanent exhibition is always free to enter.

Free admission with the Kulturcard 365, Linz Card (24, 48 and 72 hours), the "Hunger auf Kunst & Kultur" culture pass, ICOM and Museumsbund membership cards, and for asylum seekers. Guided education for groups, per person: €3 (1 hour), €4 (1.5 hours), €5 (2 hours or workshop). Cancellation fee for booked tours: €25 (two working days before) or €35 (on the day of the event).

Accessibility

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

A 70-meter tunnel leads from the Tummelplatz to the elevator, which goes step-free into the foyer. The archaeology permanent exhibition in the north wing is reached via the inner courtyard and an arcade with uneven ground and slopes; after advance registration at +43 732 7720 52300, staff accompany guests with mobility or visual impairments. Ten tactile stations in the archaeology exhibition, highlight tours in sign language per the program, and the walk "Einfach Natur entdecken" in easy language for groups. Loaner wheelchairs on request; assistance dogs and guide dogs with ID are permitted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

The ASTROLAB in the technology exhibition invites families to explore astronomy on their own, and the nature exhibition shows live animals in aquariums. Family tours and workshops, for example during the Linz Children's Culture Week; every first Sunday of the month free admission with the OÖ Familienkarte. Strollers are allowed everywhere, and baby changing tables are in the restrooms. Children under 14 only in the company of an adult.

Getting there & parking

The elevator at Tummelplatz runs directly into the foyer during opening hours. By bike from Hauptplatz via Hofgasse, Hahnengasse and Alter Markt to Tummelplatz, then up the ramp to the museum. Taxi stands at Hauptplatz 11 and on the Promenade.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

There are two restaurants with outdoor seating on the castle grounds, including the Schloss Café with a terrace and a view over the city. Coat check and free lockers; larger bags and backpacks must be checked.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 360 guests.

Banquet hall (Festsaal) in the south wing (450 m², up to 360 people in cinema seating, 204 at banquets), with partly covered outdoor areas; exhibition tours for guests on request. Inquiries to veranstaltungen@ooelkg.at.

Plan your visit