Sonnenwelt Großschönau
Interactive exhibition in Großschönau on energy, climate protection and sustainable living, with hands-on stations and an energy playground.
No sound? Check your device’s silent switch.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The idea for the Sonnenwelt emerged some two decades ago in Großschönau in the Waldviertel. The first step was the founding of the Sonnenplatz association in 2004, which campaigns for faster adoption of resource-saving building, housing and living. The "Sonnenplatz" project grew into the experience exhibition, which opened in 2013.
The exhibition explores how energy can be generated, saved and used efficiently, with climate protection and sustainability at its centre. Across roughly 2,000 square metres, numerous stations invite visitors to try things out. Alongside the exhibition, the grounds include a freely accessible energy adventure playground with the first stone labyrinth in the Waldviertel, a café, a shop with regional specialities and seminar rooms.
The house has won several awards for its concept, including the Austrian Climate Protection Prize 2014 and the Solar Prize 2015. It is run by Sonnenplatz Großschönau GmbH; school classes and tour groups can visit all year round by appointment.
Highlights
- Around 2,000 m² of interactive exhibition on the theme of energy
- Numerous hands-on and experiment stations
- Freely accessible energy adventure playground with stone labyrinth
- Café and shop with Waldviertel specialities
- Guided tours and programmes for school classes
Permanent exhibition
- Erlebnisausstellung Energie – An interactive journey through the world of energy, with stations on energy generation, energy saving and climate protection.
- Founded
- 2013
- Operated by
- Sonnenplatz Großschönau GmbH
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €14 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €12People aged 60 and over, students up to 25 years, people with disabilities (with ID) |
| Children & teens | €10free up to age 5 · Children aged 6 to 15; children under 6 free. |
| Seniors | €12aged 60 and over |
| Visitors with disabilities | €12with ID |
| Students & apprentices | €12up to 25 years |
| Groups (20+ people) | €12.50 per personGroups of 20 or more people, guided tour included |
| Families | €332 adults with 1 child; 2 adults with 2 children €40, each additional child €8 |
| Family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) | €40Each additional child €8 |
| School classes including guided tour, per person | €9 |
Free admission with the Niederösterreich-CARD; groups pay a €4 surcharge for the guided tour.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- 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
The museum describes itself as barrier-free: disabled parking, stairlift and accessible toilets. Dogs are not allowed.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €33 · 2 adults with 1 child; 2 adults with 2 children €40, each additional child €8 |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
- Playground / play area
Numerous hands-on stations, a puzzle rally for children and the freely accessible energy adventure playground with water pumps, climbing tower, slides and tree houses; family parking spaces available.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
The nearest railway station is Gmünd; from there the museum recommends the connecting bus or a taxi. The bus stop is about 200 m away.
By car
Parking available
On-site parking with disabled and family parking spaces as well as EV charging stations; bicycle racks and e-bike charging available.
- Accessible parking
By car, take the Weitra exit on the Zwettl bypass.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
- Wi-Fi
Café with drinks and snacks, "Waldviertler Schmankerl Shop" with regional specialities; free Wi-Fi throughout the building.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Corporate events
Up to 100 guests.
Raiffeisensaal (up to 100 people in cinema-style seating, 42 in seminar seating) and the "Sonnenschein" course room (up to 50 and 22 people respectively) for seminars and events; catering available.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours for individual visitors Tuesday to Thursday at 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and Friday at 10:30 a.m.; tours in English and Czech possible. School classes and tour groups can enquire about programmes. |
