Heimatmuseum auf der Insel Ried

About the museum

The origins of the house on Ried island in the old town go back to around 1480. From the 17th century it belonged to the long-established Härpfer fishing family, and later farmers and craftsmen lived here. In 1928 the Historischer Verein Donauwörth bought the property and in 1935 set up a museum of rural and craft culture. The building passed to the town in the 1950s, and the collection followed in 1984. From 1998 to 2002 the town thoroughly renovated the house and reopened it with a new exhibition concept.

On the ground floor, a life-size display recalls fishing, which was long an important livelihood for the island's residents. It is followed by displays on metalworking, keys and locks, and the Donauwörth weapon and tool smith Josef Guggenmos (1897–1977), whose life and work are documented in impressive photographs.

The upper floor uses large room settings to show how people in Donauwörth once slept, lived, cooked and stored provisions, including an old smoke kitchen and a seamstress's parlour. One section is devoted to clothing in the town and the surrounding countryside, another to religious folk art with a large collection of votive paintings and offerings from pilgrimage sites. A recreated walk through the historic Ried district concludes the tour.

Highlights

• Life-size display on fishing
• Section on the smith Josef Guggenmos
• Historic smoke kitchen and living rooms
• Collection of votive paintings and offerings
• Recreated walk through old Ried

Permanent exhibitions

• Fischerei und Metallhandwerk – On the ground floor, a life-size fishing display, keys and locks, and the workshop world of the smith Josef Guggenmos.
• Wohnen, Kleidung und Volksfrömmigkeit – On the upper floor, room settings of a kitchen, parlour and bedroom, regional clothing and an extensive collection of votive paintings.

Founded

1935

Operated by

Stadt Donauwörth

Director

Anja Hollands

Admission & discounts

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

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Free museum treasure hunts at the ticket desk and a detective case available to borrow for a small fee. Bookable family tour (1 hour, up to 10 people, flat rate €45), creative programmes on museum Sundays and children's birthday parties with a tour and crafts.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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