Stadtmuseum Waidhofen an der Thaya

About the museum

The museum of the walled town of Waidhofen an der Thaya presents the town's history in a late 19th-century garden palace which, according to popular saying, was built by wealthy "Schweinebarone" (pig barons). It is run by the Museumsverein (museum association), founded in 1926, which came to a standstill during the war and postwar years and was re-established in 1974. The association runs the entire operation, including the special exhibitions, which follow one another as seamlessly as possible in the summer season.

The permanent exhibition "StadtGeschichte[n]" leads from a representative staircase with the changing names of the town since 1171 to the exhibition rooms. It covers, among other things, the former guild system, the founding town with a model of its ground plan, and the enigmatic Festung Sand. The showpiece is a fully preserved corner grocery store (Greißlerladen) from Speisendorf, which a merchant's wife ran into old age.

A separate permanent exhibition is devoted to weaving, since Waidhofen was a center of ribbon weaving in the "Bandlkramerland". In the machine hall, hand looms, mechanical looms and numerous Jacquard machines with punch cards show the technical development; some machines are still in working order and are demonstrated during tours.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition "StadtGeschichte[n]" with model of the founding town
• Fully preserved grocery store from Speisendorf
• Waldviertel Weaving Museum with ribbon looms and Jacquard machines
• Working looms demonstrated during tours
• Museum in a garden palace of the late 19th century

Permanent exhibitions

• StadtGeschichte[n] – Overview of the walled town's history: the guild system, a model of the founding town, the Festung Sand and a fully preserved grocery store.
• Waldviertler Webereimuseum – Hand and mechanical weaving, ribbon looms and numerous Jacquard machines show Waidhofen as a center of ribbon weaving.

Founded

1926

Operated by

Museumsverein Waidhofen an der Thaya

Admission & discounts

According to the tourism portal, the special exhibitions, which change every year, are sometimes shown free of charge.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• 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 Lower Austria tourism portal, toilets and wheelchair-accessible facilities are available; the museum website provides no information.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop, according to the tourism portal.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit