Museum im Stamserhaus

About the museum

The Stamserhaus on the village square of Wenns stands on foundations about 700 years old and in this form is considered the oldest farmhouse in Tyrol. The cellar dates from its earliest period, and a beam in the staircase is dated 1301. The name goes back to the Stift Stams (Stams Abbey): this is where the steward sat who collected the farmers' tithes for the Cistercians. Several fires led to rebuilding, but the core remained late medieval.

The municipality of Wenns acquired the house, began a survey in 2002 and carried out a comprehensive renovation from 2003 to 2009. The Museum im Stamserhaus opened on July 10, 2011. It is run by the municipality, the Krippenverein Wenns (nativity association) and the Museums- und Kulturverein Wenns, which also conducts the tours.

In the vaulted cellar and on the upper floor, the museum displays more than 40 nativity scenes from the Krippenverein, founded in 1860, which is considered the oldest in the world. Further rooms are dedicated to Georg Matthäus Vischer, a cartographer born in Wenns, to the Wenns Fasnacht (carnival) and to an old shooting-club banner. The parlor rooms on the upper floor host changing exhibitions, including works by schoolchildren and regional artists, and the house also serves as a small cultural venue for concerts by young bands.

Highlights

• Oldest farmhouse in Tyrol in this form
• More than 40 nativity scenes in the vaulted cellar
• Georg Matthäus Vischer, cartographer from Wenns
• Wenns Fasnacht and an old shooting-club banner
• Museum parlor with coffee and wine

Permanent exhibition

• Krippen, Vischer, Fasnacht – Tour of the nativity cellar, the Vischer room with village views, the room on the Wenns Fasnacht and the old shooting-club banner.

Founded

2011

Operated by

Gemeinde Wenns mit Museums- und Kulturverein Wenns und Krippenverein

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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 entrance is reached by an outdoor stone staircase; information on step-free access is not published.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the village center of Wenns on the village square, opposite the Platzhaus with its façade paintings.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Museum parlor where coffee and wine are served.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit