Oberpfälzer Handwerksmuseum Rötz-Hillstett

About the museum

The museum's foundation was the rescue of the Seebarnhammer: the hammer forge on the Schwarzach, first documented in 1487 and in operation until 1960, would have been flooded by the construction of the Eixendorfer Stausee reservoir. From 1972 it was rebuilt true to the original on the grounds of the decommissioned Hillstett train station; with its inauguration in 1974 the museum opened for the first time.

Further buildings were added little by little: in 1975/76 the water-driven sash saw of the Saxlmühle near Pillmersried, in 1978 the Salzfriedlhof, a Waldler house from the 18th century that now serves as the museum tavern, and in 1988 a machine house with the steam boiler plant of a Rötz sawmill. At the entrance, a class 64 steam locomotive from 1934 recalls the former Rötz–Neunburg vorm Wald railway line.

The centerpiece is the exhibition building completed in 1984, in which 18 workshops across about 800 square meters are furnished as if the craftsmen had only just left them – from the printer and baker through the blacksmith, tanner and wheelwright to the hatter, watchmaker and ropemaker. The museum is run by the town of Rötz, supported by a circle of friends.

Highlights

• Seebarnhammer: rebuilt hammer forge with occasional demonstrations
• 18 craft workshops furnished true to the original
• Water-powered sash saw of the Saxlmühle
• Steam boiler plant of a former sawmill
• Class 64 steam locomotive from 1934
• Museum tavern in the Salzfriedlhof

Permanent exhibitions

• Handwerkerwerkstätten – In the exhibition building, 18 re-created workshops show trades on the threshold of the industrial age, including bookbinder, blacksmith, tanner, photographer and ropemaker.
• Seebarnhammer – The hammer forge rescued from the reservoir tells of iron processing on the Schwarzach, which was once among the most important trades of the Upper Palatinate.
• Saxlmühle und Dampfsägewerk – A frame saw with a water wheel and a steam boiler plant with a generator show how timber was once processed into boards.

Founded

1974

Operated by

Stadt Rötz

Admission & discounts

Reduction with the Gästekarte Waldmünchner Urlaubsland (guest card).

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Kids & families

Great for kids & familiesRecommended for ages 6+

• Playground / play area

Suitable for families, school classes and children aged 6 and up; there is an outdoor children's playground.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located at the Eixendorfer Stausee in the Schwarzach valley near Rötz, on the grounds of the former Hillstett train station.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant

Museum tavern in the Salzfriedlhof (Waldler house from the 18th century), tel. 09976 902020.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit