Museum on Mittenwald's more than 300-year tradition of violin making, with baroque instruments, a historic workshop, listening stations and scent samples.
December 11, 2025 – January 6, 2027
The exhibition tells the cross-border story of oil shale mining in the Karwendel from the 17th century to the present – from legends about "stone oil" to fossils, tools and a replica mining tunnel with scent and listening stations.
From the late 17th century, Mittenwald developed into a center of stringed-instrument making. Matthias Klotz is regarded as the founder of this tradition: he learned the craft in Italy and, after returning to his hometown, trained numerous apprentices. For generations, his descendants and other violin-making families shaped the local economy.
The Geigenbaumuseum (violin-making museum) was founded in 1930 to document this history of craftsmanship. Since 1960 it has been housed on Ballenhausgasse behind the parish church, in one of the oldest houses in Mittenwald. It is run by the Markt Mittenwald (municipality of Mittenwald).
The exhibition links the development of violin making with the town's history. The core of the collection consists of violins, violas and cellos from Mittenwald's baroque violin-making period, including instruments by Klotz and his successors; the 19th and 20th centuries and today's workshops are also represented. In total, around 200 stringed and plucked instruments are on display.
The tour includes a historic violin-making workshop where violin makers sometimes demonstrate their craft, listening stations, scent samples of varnish ingredients and historic films. Changing special exhibitions also explore topics from the regional and cultural history of the Karwendel.
| Adults | €5.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4.50Holders of the spa/guest card, people with disabilities, school students, university students, military and volunteer service members, local residents, and groups of 10 or more |
| Children & teens | €2free up to age 6 · Children up to 14 €2; according to the museum, free up to age 6 (the tourist office lists €2 from age 6) |
| Seniors | –No senior discount listed |
| Visitors with disabilities | €4.50 |
| Students & apprentices | €4.50 |
| Groups (10+ people) | €4.50 per personPer person; group tours plus a €50 tour fee (max. 25 people); outside opening hours plus an €80 fee. |
| Families | –No family ticket listed |
| School class | €35flat rate |
| Klangerlebnis (sound experience; approx. 30 min., groups of 5 or more) | €4.50per person plus an €85 fee, max. 25 people |
| Children's tour during school holidays (ages 4 and up, including a craft activity) | €8Register by the day before at the Tourist-Information Alpenwelt Karwendel |
Prices according to the museum's price page (as of 2024); adult price of €5.50, or €4.50 with a guest card, confirmed for 2026 by the tourist office. Curator-led tours of the special exhibition are included in regular admission.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 6 |
|---|
Knowledge quiz for children to explore on their own. During school holidays, children's tours for ages 4 and up (about 2 hours) include a visit to the demonstration workshop, trying out tools, and crafts; booking through the Mittenwald Tourist Information.
Bahnhof Mittenwald
Mittenwald station (Werdenfelsbahn/Karwendelbahn Munich–Innsbruck); the museum is in the town center behind the parish church of St. Peter und Paul.
Museum kiosk with publications. Small event hall for concerts and readings.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Group tours for 10 or more people with a demonstration in the workshop by appointment, also outside opening hours. Children's tours during school holidays via the tourist office. Curator-led tour of the special exhibition on the 1st Sunday of every month at 14:30 (registration by phone requested). |
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