Waldschule Alpl
Village school on the Alpl donated by Peter Rosegger in 1902, with a schoolroom and a Rosegger room preserved in their original state and the Austrian Hiking Museum.
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About the museum
The Waldschule (Forest School) on the Alpl was built in 1902 in just five months. Peter Rosegger financed it through a fundraising campaign to counter rural depopulation in the remote area. On 6 October 1902, 23 children were already being taught, looked after by the first forest schoolmaster, Leopold Kramar. As early as the end of 1901, Rosegger had stipulated that the school building is the property of the municipality of Krieglach and, should teaching ever become unnecessary, may only be used for educational purposes.
Until 1975, pupils from the first to the eighth grade were taught in a single room; then only three children remained and the school closed. The house was renovated and has been a museum since 1982; it is a listed building. In the schoolroom visitors can see the original desks, the teacher's podium, the first class register and the sliding blackboard bearing Rosegger's decree for the preservation of the school. The Rosegger room is also preserved in its original state.
In the workshop built by the children themselves stands a large collection of historical woodworking tools. The house also contains the Austrian Hiking Museum, which has documented the culture of pilgrimage and hiking since 1978. The Waldschule is the starting point of a forest nature trail and lies about half an hour's walk from Rosegger's birthplace.
Highlights
- Schoolroom of 1902 preserved in its original state, with desks and the first class register
- Rosegger room in its original state
- Workshop with historical woodworking tools
- Austrian Hiking Museum
- Starting point for the walk to Rosegger's birthplace (approx. 30 minutes on foot)
Permanent exhibitions
- Schulzimmer und Roseggerzimmer – Original schoolroom of 1902 with desks, podium and the first class register, as well as the Rosegger room preserved in its original state.
- Österreichisches Wandermuseum – Collection on the history of hiking and pilgrimage, founded in 1978.
- Werkstätte mit Holzwerkzeugen – Large collection of historical tools in the workshop built by the schoolchildren.
- Founded
- 1982
- Operated by
- Marktgemeinde Krieglach
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5.50Seniors, people with disabilities and groups of 7 or more |
| Children & teens | €1.50free up to age 5 · Children, pupils, young people and apprentices from 6 to 18 years; pupils in a class group also €1.50; under 6 years free. |
| Seniors | €5.50 |
| Visitors with disabilities | €5.50 |
| Students & apprentices | €3Students as well as military and civilian service personnel (19–26 years) |
| Groups (7+ people) | €5.50 per personPer person from 7 people. |
| Families | €13Two adults with a maximum of two children under 14 years |
| Rosegger-Card/combination card (Waldschule, birthplace, Landhaus Krieglach, exhibition St. Kathrein am Hauenstein), adults | €19Groups of 7 or more €16 per person, children and young people 6–18 years €5. |
Admission is free with the GenussCard (once per stay) and the Steiermark Card. 2026 prices.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €13 · Two adults with a maximum of two children under 14 years |
- Family tours & workshops
Programmes for children and school groups; the GenussCard portal lists the Waldschule as family-friendly.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Alpl Waldschule
By train to Krieglach; RegioBus line 186 runs from 1 May to 1 November 2026 between Krieglach and Rettenegg via the Alpl (according to Verbundlinie, on weekends during the summer holidays as far as Alpl Waldschule).
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The museum offers programmes for children and school groups. |
