Sensen Museum Micheldorf

About the museum

The scythe forge on the Gries, also called the Gradnwerk, was one of the oldest and, for centuries, the largest of the twelve scythe works in Micheldorf. In the 19th century Caspar Zeitlinger brought the business to its peak: in 1845 it employed more than 400 people, and his scythes bearing the mark "Kelch mit Hostie" (Chalice with Host) were sold all over the world. The works closed in 1966.

An association founded in 1971 set up the OÖ. Sensenschmiedemuseum (Upper Austrian Scythe Forge Museum) on the site in 1978. In 2015 the Gesellschaft für Landeskunde und Denkmalpflege Oberösterreich (Society for Regional Studies and Monument Preservation of Upper Austria) acquired the complex; the historic buildings were then restored and the exhibition redesigned. Since May 2025 the house has reopened as the Sensen Museum Micheldorf.

The ensemble comprises seven buildings. The manor house shows the residential and representational culture of the hammer masters, including the Blumauerzimmer (Blumauer Room). In the hammer building with its original fittings, the roughly 25 working steps for making a scythe can be traced. The Kram was formerly used for packing and shipping the scythes. More than 3,000 objects are displayed in over 20 rooms, largely from the Zeitlinger family and other scythe-forging families.

Highlights

• Zeitlinger family manor house with original furnished rooms and the Blumauer Room
• Gradn hammer with workshop hall and an electrically powered small hammer
• Over 3,000 objects on scythe forging, including a guild chest (Zunftlade) and a daguerreotype
• Sengsschmiedroas: signposted theme trail, open to visitors free of charge at any time
• Ensemble of seven historic buildings

Permanent exhibitions

• Herrenhaus der Sensengewerken – Original furnished rooms show the living, representation and everyday life of the Zeitlinger family, their workers and their domestic staff.
• Gradn-Hammer – In the hammer building with its original fittings, the working steps of scythe production become easy to follow.
• Sammlung zur Sensenschmiede – Over 3,000 objects from the Zeitlinger family and other scythe-forging families.

Founded

1978

Operated by

Verein zur Pflege und Erhaltung der Kulturgüter der Sensenschmiede

Admission & discounts

All prices include a guided tour. According to the tourism portal, admission is free with the Pyhrn-Priel AktivCard and the Pyhrn-Priel SaisonCard. Tickets are sold at the ticket office (Kassa) in the Kram; if it is not staffed, buy them directly at the guided tour.

Accessibility

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

According to the tourism portal, the entrance is at ground level and there is a toilet facility. For further information on accessibility, please ask the museum.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A9, exit Inzersdorf-Kirchdorf or Klaus, then continue on the B138 to Micheldorf.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant

The Gasthaus zum Schwarzen Grafen (inn) is located on the grounds.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit