Historischer Eisenhammer Eckersmühlen
Museum in the former hammer works of the Schäff family near Eckersmühlen, with forge demonstrations, a manor house and an exhibition on iron.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Eisenhammer on the Roth river near Eckersmühlen was owned by the Schäff family for five generations, a far-reaching dynasty of hammer smiths. In 1775 Johann Michael Schäff took over the then heavily indebted operation and was the first to be both owner and operator. Under the Schäffs the works came to great prosperity, until mass production by factories and changing demand made handcraft production unprofitable. In 1974 operations were stopped.
Fritz Schäff, the last hammer master, made sure the facility remained ready for operation. As a result it could open as a museum in 1985, where the hammers are still demonstrated today. They are driven by water power: a turbine sets the main shaft in motion, from which leather transmission belts carry the power to the individual hammers.
The museum includes the manor house built in 1699/1700, whose magnificent half-timbered facade was later lost. It shows the living environment of the last hammer master. In the former sawmill, the permanent exhibition "Vom Erz zum Eisen" addresses the raw material iron, ore mining in the Franconian Jura and a reconstructed mine tunnel. The renovated riding stable building hosts changing exhibitions. A small section of the museum also shows how transmission belts are made.
Highlights
- Forge demonstrations at water-powered hammers
- Manor house with the living environment of the last hammer master
- Permanent exhibition "Vom Erz zum Eisen" with reconstructed mine tunnel
- Workshop for producing transmission belts
- Virtual 360-degree tour online
Permanent exhibitions
- Hammerschmiede mit Schmiedevorführungen – The water-powered forge shows hammer forging as it was in the days of the Schäff family; demonstrations take place at fixed times.
- Leben im Herrenhaus – The manor house from 1699/1700 shows the living environment of the last hammer master, Fritz Schäff.
- Vom Erz zum Eisen – The former sawmill covers iron ore, ore mining in the Franconian Jura, a cutaway model of a bloomery furnace and a reconstructed tunnel.
- Founded
- 1985
- Operated by
- Landkreis Roth
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Groups of 10 or more people, severely disabled people, holders of the Seenland.Card |
| Children & teens | €2free up to age 10 · Children up to 10 years old enter free |
| Visitors with disabilities | €3 |
| Groups (10+ people) | €3 per personReduced admission for groups of 10 or more people |
| Families | €8Parents or a parent with minor children |
| Forge demonstration for groups | €20Per group, by appointment |
Free admission upon presentation of the Bavarian Ehrenamtskarte (honorary volunteer card). With a VGN ticket (including the Deutschlandticket), €1 off the admission price.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- 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
One accessible parking space in front of the museum.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 10 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €8 · Parents or a parent with minor children |
- Hands-on stations
Family ticket for €8; children up to 10 years old enter free.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bahnhof Eckersmühlen
By regional train R6 (Nuremberg–Treuchtlingen) or S2 (Nuremberg–Roth) to Roth station, then by the "Gredlbahn" (RB61) to Eckersmühlen; from Eckersmühlen station a hiking trail of just under one kilometer leads to the museum.
By car
Free parking
Free parking in front of the museum, including one accessible parking space.
- Accessible parking
By car via the A6 (exit 57 Roth), the A9 (exit 55 Allersberg) or the B2 (exit Hilpoltstein-Eckersmühlen). The hiking trail from the station is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
Get directionsAmenities & 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
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Individual tours and forge demonstrations for groups by arrangement (Tel. +49 9171 81-1329). School classes can apply for a transport cost subsidy from the district. A virtual 360-degree tour is available online. |
