Metnitzer Totentanzmuseum

About the museum

Metnitz has a special cultural heritage in the Totentanz (Dance of Death): a medieval fresco cycle and a folk play, both of which address the equality of all people before death. The frieze was about 50 meters long and 1.20 meters wide and ran around the outside of the octagonal charnel house (Karner) south of the parish church. The verses come from a block book printed in Basel in 1465.

Because the paintings were exposed to the weather and had suffered badly, the best-preserved sections were removed in 1968/69 and restored in the workshop of the Federal Monuments Office (Bundesdenkmalamt). In 1989, a fresco copy was painted in fresco technique on the Karner, using the remaining originals, watercolor copies from 1885 and depictions from the Heidelberg block book as models. The removed originals have been shown in the museum next to the parish church since 1996; the house has since been redesigned.

The museum presents the original frescoes, the watercolor copies and documentation, as well as other medieval Dances of Death from Europe and modern Dance of Death cycles, including works by Prof. Brandstätter and Walter Krobath. The Metnitz Totentanzspiel (Dance of Death play), revived in 1957 on the initiative of Mayor Hans Staunig, is performed by amateur actors from the village at intervals in front of the Karner and the church. The museum is run by the Metnitz parish.

Highlights

• Only surviving frescoes of a monumental 15th-century Dance of Death in Austria
• Watercolor copies of 1885 and documentation of the frescoes
• Medieval and modern Dance of Death depictions from Europe
• Gothic charnel house with fresco copy and death ship (Totenschiff)
• Metnitz Dance of Death play performed by amateur actors

Permanent exhibitions

• Originalfresken des Metnitzer Totentanzes – The removed 15th-century frescoes, supplemented by watercolor copies from 1885 and documentation of the cycle’s history.
• Mittelalterliche und moderne Totentänze – Further medieval Dance of Death depictions from Europe and contemporary Dance of Death cycles.

Operated by

Pfarre Metnitz

Admission & discounts

Prices for 2026. With the Kärnten Card, admission is free for one day (photo ID required).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• 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

The museum describes itself on its website as barrier-free; further details are not published.

Kids & families

Getting there & parking

By car from Klagenfurt via the E37 to St. Veit, then on the B317 to the Friesach Nord exit and through the Metnitz Valley to Metnitz (directions as given by the Kärnten Card).

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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