Museum Mödling – Thonetschlössl

About the museum

The building on Josef-Deutsch-Platz goes back to a Capuchin monastery founded by Johann Baptist Verda von Verdenberg in 1631. Rebuilt after its destruction in 1683, it was dissolved in 1785 under Joseph II and subsequently used as a silk and cloth manufactory, a bleachery and a theatre. In the mid-19th century the dowager countess Elise von Salm had it converted into a small castle; in 1889 the Thonet family acquired it as a residence, from which the present name derives.

The Mödling District Museum has existed since 1904 and moved into the house in 1931. After years as a police station (1945–1955), the town of Mödling bought the building in 1958, and since 1965 it has served as a museum again. It is run by the volunteer-organised Bezirks-Museums-Verein Mödling, which also looks after the Museum of Folklore and the Beethoven Memorial.

The permanent exhibition leads from prehistory – with rich finds from the Hallstatt period from the nearby Kalenderberg – through the Romans and Avars, the Middle Ages and early modern period to the industrial age. In addition there are a clock collection, a geological department, the historic library of the anatomist Joseph Hyrtl and a memorial display case for Countess Mitsuko Coudenhove-Kalergi. On the upper floor the stucco-decorated vault of the former monastery church is preserved as a ceremonial hall; in the museum park there is a Japanese Zen garden.

Highlights

• Hallstatt-period finds from the Kalenderberg, including "moon idols"
• Avar collection
• Historic library of the anatomist Joseph Hyrtl
• Clock collection and geological department
• Baroque ceremonial hall in the former church interior
• Zen garden in memory of Countess Mitsuko Coudenhove-Kalergi

Permanent exhibitions

• Urgeschichte – Finds from the Neolithic, Bronze Age and above all the Hallstatt period from the Mödling area, including the enigmatic "moon idols" from the Kalenderberg.
• Hyrtlbibliothek – The historic book collection of the anatomist Joseph Hyrtl, with early medical works.
• Gräfin Mitsuko – Memorial display case for Mitsuko Coudenhove-Kalergi, the Tokyo-born mother of the founder of the Pan-European movement, who spent her last years in Mödling.

Founded

1904

Operated by

Bezirks-Museums-Verein Mödling

Admission & discounts

Cash only. Free admission once with the Niederösterreich-CARD and with the cultural pass "Hunger auf Kunst & Kultur" (in each case Thonetschlössl only). Members of the Bezirks-Museums-Verein have free admission at all three locations.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

During the semester, Easter, summer and autumn-to-Christmas holidays and in May there is a puzzle rally: six questions about Mödling whose solution codes are hidden in the museum, with a certificate and a small reward (included in admission, no registration needed).

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with books, postcards and the cultural magazine "medilihha". Museum park with Zen garden.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 80 guests.

Baroque ceremonial hall (up to 80 seats, screen, grand piano by arrangement) for concerts, lectures and weddings; rental in 2026 Mon–Thu €140, Fri–Sun and public holidays €240 plus supervision. Dates via the museum office.

Plan your visit