Uhrenstube Aschau

About the museum

The Uhrenstube Aschau grew out of the private clock collection of engineer Wolfgang Komzak, who began gathering antique clocks in 1963. In 1973 he acquired his first tower clock, a movement from Upper Austria, and gradually focused the collection on tower clocks and roasting jacks, i.e. clockwork for turning roasting spits. In 2002 the collection of veterinarian Julius Brachetka came to the museum as a donation, which prompted the founding of a museum.

In September 2003 the Uhrenstube opened to visitors in the former guesthouse of the Komzak family in Aschau. Initially it comprised 16 tower clocks and 7 roasting jacks; today there are 64 tower clocks and 27 roasting jacks, making it one of the most important collections of Gothic pieces in Central Europe. The regional focus is on Burgenland and the tri-border area with Lower Austria, Styria and western Hungary. Among the pieces is a tower clock from Steyr dating to the 15th century, considered the oldest known tower clock in Austria, as well as rare clocks and roasting jacks with movements made entirely of wood.

The focus is on the clockwork itself in its technical and craft variety; panels explain history and technology, and most of the movements are functional and are set running during guided tours. The museum includes restoration workshops, a specialist library and an archive. It is run by the non-profit Verein der Freunde der Uhrenstube Aschau im Burgenland (Friends of the Uhrenstube Aschau association), which also conducts research, publishes, and offers courses on the traditional clockmaking craft.

Highlights

• Around 64 tower clocks from the Gothic period to the 19th century
• Oldest known tower clock in Austria, from the 15th century
• 27 roasting jacks, some made entirely of wood
• Working movements set running during guided tours
• Own restoration workshops and specialist library

Permanent exhibitions

• Schauraum Turmuhren – Forged tower clocks from the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods, as well as early works with wooden gearing, mainly from Burgenland and its neighboring region.
• Schauraum Bratenwender – Mechanical roasting jacks from the Renaissance to the 19th century, including rare pieces made entirely of wood.

Founded

2003

Operated by

Verein der Freunde der Uhrenstube Aschau im Burgenland

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

By car: from Vienna via the A2 (exit 76) to Krumbach, Hochneukirchen, Hattmannsdorf and Offenegg; from Graz via the A2 (exit 111 Lafnitztal), Oberwart, Bad Tatzmannsdorf and Oberschützen; from Eisenstadt via Mattersburg, Oberpullendorf, Bad Tatzmannsdorf and Oberschützen, in each case continuing on to Aschau.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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Plan your visit