Urzeitmuseum Nussdorf-Traisental

About the museum

The museum was prompted by the excavations of the Federal Monuments Office in the lower Traisen valley. The construction of the Krems expressway S 33 triggered the largest rescue excavation in the history of Austrian archaeology up to that point in 1981; further excavations followed ahead of road, residential and commercial construction. Since then, over 100 sites along the Traisen have been documented, including the large Bronze Age cemeteries of Franzhausen with around 2,300 graves examined.

Under Mayor Hort Völkl, the market town of Nußdorf ob der Traisen, together with private individuals and companies, campaigned for a museum of its own. The exhibition was designed by excavation director Johannes-Wolfgang Neugebauer and Christine Neugebauer-Maresch, with the help of students from the University of Vienna. After the castle cellar was renovated, the exhibition area on the upper floor was opened on 30 May 1993. A comprehensive redesign followed in 2007 with the support of the province of Lower Austria.

The tour leads from the Ice Age, with the largest mammoth tusk found in Lower Austria, through settlement and burial finds of the Neolithic and Copper Age to the treasures of the Bronze Age with reconstructed graves. In front of the building stands a 33-tonne mammoth made of artificial stone as a landmark.

Highlights

• Largest mammoth tusk found in Lower Austria (3.3 metres)
• Finds from the Bronze Age cemeteries of Franzhausen with reconstructed graves
• Oldest grape seed found in the Traisen valley (original and enlargement)
• 33-tonne artificial stone mammoth in front of the entrance
• Audio guide via smartphone app

Permanent exhibition

• Schätze der Bronzezeit – The tour through the prehistory of the lower Traisen valley begins with Ice Age finds and extends through the Neolithic and Copper Age to the cemeteries of Franzhausen, with reconstructed graves and scenes from Bronze Age life.

Founded

1993

Operated by

Marktgemeinde Nußdorf ob der Traisen / Museumsverein Kulturgenuss Traisental

Admission & discounts

One-time admission with the NÖ-Card. Guided tours cost an extra 2 euros per person for groups of 15 or more; for smaller groups a flat fee of 20 euros applies.

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 as barrier-free.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum organises activity programmes for young and old visitors; children pay a reduced admission from the age of 6.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A1 to the St. Pölten interchange, then on the S 33 to the Traismauer Süd exit, then follow the signs "Urzeitmuseum" towards Nußdorf/Franzhausen (about 20 minutes from the St. Pölten interchange). Rental bikes (Nextbike) are available in Herzogenburg and Krems.

Amenities & dining

• Wi-Fi

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit