Zwettler Stadtmuseum

About the museum

In March 1900 the Zwettl municipal council decided to set up a city museum, prompted by the 700th anniversary of the citizens' community. It first opened in January 1904 in the post office building. In 1924 numerous objects from the estate of Georg Ritter von Schönerer, a Reichsrat deputy who died in 1921, came to the municipality; from 1933 they were shown in a room of their own. In November 1938 the museum had to close because NSDAP offices claimed its rooms.

After the museum association was founded in 1987, a new concept was developed, and in 1992 the city museum reopened in the Old Town Hall. The building, whose core is Gothic, is among the oldest buildings in the town and is presumably traceable to the Kuenringer family. The exhibition is on the second floor and in the attic.

Since 1993 the multivision show "Jenseits der Donau" has been part of the education program; in 2003 the Anton collection was added, which goes back to a loan from the children of the collector couple Anton. Museum education has existed since 2004, and changing special exhibitions since 2007.

Highlights

• Old Town Hall: Gothic core building on the Sparkassenplatz
• History of Zwettl and the Kuenringer, with Walther von der Vogelweide
• Crafts, trades and jurisdiction, including printing blocks for dyeing from the 18th and 19th centuries
• Schönerer collection and Anton collection
• Multivision show "Jenseits der Donau" and free audio guide on your own smartphone

Permanent exhibitions

• Stadtgeschichte, Kuenringer, Handwerk und Gerichtsbarkeit – Tour through Zwettl's history, from its founding as a town through the Kuenringer and Walther von der Vogelweide to crafts, trades and jurisdiction.
• Schönerer-Sammlung – Objects from the estate of Reichsrat deputy Georg Ritter von Schönerer, shown publicly since 1933.
• Antonsammlung – Artworks and everyday objects from the collection of the Anton couple, on view in the museum on loan from the family.

Founded

1904

Operated by

Stadtgemeinde Zwettl-Niederösterreich (mit Museumsverein Zwettl)

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the NÖ CARD.

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 is located on the second floor and in the attic of the Old Town Hall.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Puzzle rallies for ages 6 to 9 and 10 to 14 (puzzle booklet €1, about 1 hour), as well as an "animal-themed" puzzle rally through the Anton collection. Activity workshops such as model and fabric printing (from age 7, €20 per person) or tablet weaving (from age 8); a workshop takes place from three people onward.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in the Old Town Hall on the Sparkassenplatz in Zwettl's city center.

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