VILLA sinnenreich – Museum der Wahrnehmung

About the museum

The museum is housed in the villa of the leather manufacturer Wilhelm Poeschl, built in 1922 by the architect Hugo Kathrein and now a listed building. The town of Rohrbach acquired the building in 1995 and, from 2002, had a team of architects led by Franz Schauer adapt it for contemporary use and extend it with modern additions. On 26 June 2004 the house opened as the Museum of Perception.

The exhibition came about on the initiative of the MuseumsInitiative Rohrbach in cooperation with the University of Arts Linz under the direction of Elsa Prochazka. Professors, graduates and students of the university as well as freelance artists developed the exhibits, including works by Hans Polterauer, David Moises, Pepi Maier, Arthur Viehböck and the groups feld72 and mutual loop. Further objects were added later, for example after the 2009 exhibition "Im Fokus".

On around 400 square metres of exhibition space, more than 50 exhibits and stations on optical illusions, perceptual phenomena and irritations await visitors. They combine technology and art and can only be understood by trying them out yourself. There is no prescribed route. Some of the objects are in the 12,000-square-metre park with a children's playground. A six-kilometre circular hiking trail with 29 perception stations also starts at the villa. The museum is run by the town of Rohrbach-Berg.

Highlights

• Over 50 interactive exhibits on perception and sensory illusion
• "Barragan's House" (Ames room), where proportions deceive the eye
• Listed villa from 1922 in a 12,000 m² park
• Outdoor exhibits and children's playground in the park
• Sinnenreich hiking trail with 29 stations (approx. 6 km)
• Open all year round, including public holidays

Permanent exhibition

• Museum der Wahrnehmung – Over 50 hands-on exhibits on optical illusions and perceptual phenomena in the house and in the park.

Founded

2004

Operated by

Stadtgemeinde Rohrbach-Berg

Admission & discounts

Annual pass at four times the respective day rate.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

According to the Verbund OÖ Museen, very family-friendly, with many objects to touch and try out, even for the youngest visitors. Children's playground in the park; family rates.

Getting there & parking

The villa stands in a park about 500 m north of the town centre; the town square is a five-minute walk away.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop; according to the Verbund OÖ Museen, there is also catering in or near the museum.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Seminar centre in the villa: seminar room 1 on the upper floor (accessible without barriers) forms a unit with rooms 2 and 3; daily rate €114 incl. VAT.

Plan your visit