Historische Schauweberei Braunsdorf

About the museum

The factory building on the bank of the Zschopau was built around 1800 and initially served as a spinning mill whose machines were driven by a water wheel; wool washing, dyeing and felt production followed later. In 1910 the Chemnitz merchant Martin Tannenhauer bought the property and moved his upholstery fabric weaving mill here. Under his son Kurt Tannenhauer, high-quality Biedermeier fabrics were woven and exported to many countries. In the GDR, the company was partially nationalized in 1961 and fully in 1972, and as VEB Raumtextilien Braunsdorf it produced furniture upholstery and decorative fabrics until 1990.

After the liquidation in 1990, Werner Tannenhauer, grandson of the founder and last company director, and the friends' association of the Industriemuseum Chemnitz secured part of the machines and equipment. Since Pentecost 1994 the weaving mill has been open as a technical monument and museum, and since 1996 it has been run by the municipality of Niederwiesa.

In the production halls, some of which are preserved in their original state, the path from yarn to finished fabric is shown. Many machines still run, including buckskin looms with punch-card-controlled Jacquard mechanisms from the Tannenhauer weaving mill and rare looms from Chemnitz factories. In 2014 the heirs donated to the museum the nearly complete pattern archive of the company, with designs, punch cards and fabric samples from 1883 to 1990. Also since 2014, the Galerie Inselsteig has shown changing art exhibitions in a former production room.

Highlights

• Working buckskin looms with Jacquard punch-card control
• Double-moquette loom from the Sächsische Webstuhlfabrik (around 1920)
• Pattern archive of the Tannenhauer weaving mill with designs from 1883 to 1990
• Partly original production halls in the listed factory building
• Galerie Inselsteig in a former production room

Permanent exhibitions

• Vom Garn zum Gewebe – Technik der Jacquard-Weberei – In the partly original weaving halls, the production process of a weaving mill is demonstrated on working historical machines.
• Musterarchiv der Weberei Tannenhauer – Designs, pattern drawings, punch cards and fabric samples from over a hundred years of upholstery fabric production, which are being gradually cataloged and digitized.

Founded

1994

Operated by

Gemeinde Niederwiesa

Director

Cornelia Hilsberg

Admission & discounts

Prices valid from August 1, 2026. Museum education programs €6. Card payment is not possible at the museum.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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

According to its own statements, the museum is completely accessible; an elevator serves all levels.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

With the activity guide, families and small groups can explore the factory on their own. Hands-on activities such as weaving on a hand-weaving frame or designing patterns with stamps. Children's birthday parties with a tour and weaving activity (recommended from age 7, about 2.5 hours, €60 plus €3 per child, maximum 10 children).

Getting there & parking

The museum is located at the end of Inselsteig in the Zschopau valley. From the A4 (exit Chemnitz-Ost) via Lichtenwalde to Braunsdorf; from the B173 via Niederwiesa to Braunsdorf, then via Kirchsteig and at the Webermühle into Inselsteig. A visit can be combined with a hike through the Zschopau valley.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check

Museum shop; free coat check in the vestibule during opening hours. For groups, a kitchen and seating are available for a packed snack.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Visitor reception room (former dining hall) for €50 per use plus €10 incidental costs per hour; event room in an early-industrial setting for celebrations and seminars, with a tour on request.

Plan your visit