Lechmuseum Bayern

About the museum

The Langweid hydroelectric power plant on the Lech canal north of Augsburg was built starting in 1906, when the Lech side canal was extended, and has supplied electricity since November 1907. The brick building in the Historicist style is a protected monument and, together with the LEW power plants in Gersthofen and Meitingen, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Water Management System of Augsburg. A lock for rafts was built but never used, because Lech rafting came to an end shortly afterward.

At the end of June 2008, Lechwerke (LEW), which still operates the power plant today, opened the Lechmuseum Bayern in the working plant; the company invested around 300,000 euros in the project. The most important exhibit is the power plant itself: on the first floor and in the basement, a drained historic turbine chamber can be walked through, with a generator from the time of construction beside it. The original Francis turbines were replaced in 1993 by more efficient Kaplan bulb turbines.

On about 700 square meters and three levels, the museum tells of the Lech as a natural environment and habitat, as a border and trade route, and as an energy source. The third floor explains hydroelectric power generation and the history of LEW and, since a redesign, puts the World Heritage title at the center. A documentary film follows the river from its sources to its mouth.

Outside, eight panels of a power plant educational trail lead around the facility, along with a replica of a Lech raft, a wild bee hotel, a reptile habitat and a small Lech riverbed. In 2024 the largely digital interactive exhibition "LEW Zukunftsbox Energie" added to the offering.

Highlights

• Walk-in historic turbine chamber with generator from the time of construction
• Power plant as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Water Management System of Augsburg
• Power plant educational trail with a replica of a historic Lech raft
• Interactive exhibition "LEW Zukunftsbox Energie" on the energy transition
• Wild bee hotel and reptile habitat outdoors

Permanent exhibitions

• Historischer Kraftwerksbereich – On the first floor and in the basement of the 1907 power plant, a drained display turbine and a generator from the year of construction can be viewed up close.
• Der Lech – Natur, Wirtschaft und Geschichte – Display walls and showcases on the second floor show the river as a habitat, transport route and economic factor, for example with historic maps and Lech rocks.
• Strom aus Wasserkraft und Welterbe – The third floor explains how hydropower becomes electricity and tells the history of the LEW power plants as part of the Augsburg UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Founded

2008

Operated by

Lechwerke AG (LEW)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission; guided tours for registered groups are also free of charge.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• 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 museum is not accessible; the second and third floors cannot be reached by wheelchair users. The LEW Zukunftsbox Energie outdoors is accessible. On request, the museum will tailor the visit to your needs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations

The museum expressly appeals to children: at media stations they can virtually search for treasures on the Lech and get to know the animals of the Lech valley. The Zukunftsbox Energie with a family quiz is intended for visitors aged 10 and up.

Getting there & parking

By car via the B 2, exit Langweid-Nord; at the roundabout take the first exit, drive back parallel to the B 2 to the Lechwerk-Siedlung and at the start of the settlement turn left onto Lechwerkstraße to the power plant grounds.

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