Flößermuseum

About the museum

Long before roads and railways opened up the Allgäu, the Lech was the fastest and cheapest means of transport: for centuries, Lechbruck raftsmen carried timber, stone, lime and cattle to Augsburg and sometimes as far as Vienna and Budapest. Rafting became the livelihood of the whole village; in 2022 UNESCO added it to the international list of intangible cultural heritage.

The museum is housed in a listed semi-detached house of post-and-plank construction, built in 1645 as a raftsman's or cottager's property. A support association renovated the building, which was at risk of collapse, over several years with the support of the Landesstelle für die nichtstaatlichen Museen and funding from the LEADER+ programme. The museum opened in October 2005; in the same year the project received the Denkmalschutzmedaille (monument protection medal) of the Bavarian Ministry of Arts. The operator is the municipality of Lechbruck am See.

The permanent exhibition in nine rooms on two floors tells of the technique and dangers of rafting, of the timber wealth of the upper Lech valley, of sandstone quarrying as a second source of income, and of the meagre daily life of the families in the rafting village. The change after the end of rafting – the arrival of industry and tourism – is also addressed. There is a separate museum guide for children.

Highlights

• Listed raftsmen's house of post-and-plank construction from 1645
• Historic parlour on the ground floor
• Themed areas Lech, Forest and Stone
• Children's museum guide “On the Trail of the Lech Raftsmen”

Permanent exhibition

• Flößerei auf dem Lech und Leben im Flößerdorf – Tour through nine rooms of the historic house on the history and technique of Lech rafting, on the forest and stone quarrying, and on the daily life of raftsmen's families.

Founded

2005

Operated by

Gemeinde Lechbruck am See (Förderverein Flößermuseum Lechbruck)

Admission & discounts

Free admission also with the KönigsCard and for members of the support association. Guided tours on request.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• 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 listed house is not barrier-free.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Separate museum guide for children and children's holiday programme; tours for school classes. Children up to 16 years have free admission.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in the centre of Lechbruck.

Amenities & dining

Museum guide available at the museum (€8.50).

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit