Fabrikmuseum Roth

Current exhibitions

About the museum

Since the late 16th century, Roth has been a center of the Leonese industry (leonische Industrie), which draws ultra-fine metal threads, often silver- or gold-plated, and processes them into spun threads, braids and fabrics. At the Obere Mühle site on the Roth river, wire was already being drawn using water power around 1500; in the early 20th century, the Leonische Drahtwerke produced spangles and sequins here, among other things.

In 1986 the Historischer Verein Roth (local historical society) decided to set up a museum devoted to this trade. The Bayerische Kabelwerke initially provided factory rooms, and the museum opened in 1988. After a good twelve years the company needed the space itself, and the town of Roth gave the society the factory building at Obere Mühle 4.

In consultation with the Landesstelle für die nichtstaatlichen Museen in Bayern (Bavarian office for non-state museums), a reconstruction of a typical Leonese factory hall from around 1920 was created there; it opened in 2001 and received the Bavarian Museum Prize in 2003. The exhibition traces the entire process from coarsely drawn wire through fine drawing, flattening and gilding to weaving on Jacquard looms; an electric line-shaft drive, a metalworking shop, an office, a time clock and a changing room offer insight into everyday working life. The museum is still run by volunteers from the historical society today.

Highlights

• Machines in operation on every guided tour
• Reconstructed Leonese factory hall from around 1920 with line-shaft drive
• Jacquard looms and gilding of spun threads
• Working waterwheel and swing wire-drawing machine
• Bavarian Museum Prize 2003

Permanent exhibitions

• Leonische Fabrik um 1920 – Reconstructed production hall with wire drawing, flattening, spinning machines, gilding and Jacquard looms, powered by an electric line-shaft drive, plus a metalworking shop and an office.

Founded

1988

Operated by

Historischer Verein Roth e. V.

Admission & discounts

Admission includes a detailed guided tour.

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

No accessibility information on the museum website; information available at tel. 09171 60564.

Kids & families

Free admission for children under 10; no dedicated family programs are mentioned.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit