Museums and galleries
in 360° Alpenland
Cultural worlds in the heart of Upper Austria
Between historic walls and contemporary art
Museums, galleries and exhibition centres in 360° Alpenland offer unique insights into art, history and culture in Upper Austria. Between medieval townscapes, baroque monasteries and modern architecture, a diverse cultural landscape is created that not only shows history, but makes it come alive.
The 360° Alpine region preserves living traditions that have been recognised as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage - including Jew's harp and scythe production, the Trattenbacher Taschenfeitel and the Steyrer Kripperl. Museums and exhibitions make these craft traditions visible and show how closely regional identity is linked to traditional skills.
Contemporary art sets deliberate contrasts: galleries and changing exhibitions create dialogues between past and present and make 360° Alpenland an inspiring cultural space for visitors.
Frequently asked questions about museums and galleries:
In 360° Alpenland, the spectrum ranges from museums of urban history and craft museums to themed exhibitions. The subject matter spans industrial and everyday history, sacred art and regional cultural history.
You can find an overview of the museums HERE.
In Steyr’s old town, the museums are all within walking distance of one another.
The Steyr City Museum is housed in the Innerberger Stadl at the entrance to the city (Grünmarkt). The Museum of the World of Work is situated in the historic moat on the River Steyr. Beneath Lamberg Castle, in the former air-raid shelter, is the‘Tunnel of Remembrance’– dedicated to forced labour during the Second World War. The Christmas Museum, complete with its interactive railway, is situated in the former Bürgerspital near the Baroque Church of St Michael. A number of small private collections can be found in the town houses in the old town.
Yes. There is such a thing as intangible cultural heritage, as defined by UNESCO. Several craft traditions, such as the making of jaw harps and the Trattenbach pocket fiddle, are recognised as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Museums and demonstration workshops offer an insight into this accumulated knowledge.
Here, craftsmanship is an expression of identity. Workshops sprang up along the rivers Enns, Steyr and Krems, and continue to shape the area to this day. The museums along the Eisenstraße not only display products, but also tell the story of craftsmanship, materials and the generations who passed on their knowledge. The tradition of craftsmanship is often showcased during guided tours, with the techniques demonstrated in a vivid manner.
Alongside historical collections, some galleries in 360° Alpenland showcase contemporary art. Temporary exhibitions foster a dialogue between tradition and the present – often in historic buildings with a clean, modern presentation. Contemporary art is regularly showcased at Steyr Town Hall and in the Schlossgalerie at Lamberg Castle. You’ll find a number of galleries in the Steyrdorf district. During the annual ARTWEEK in September, vacant premises and courtyards are transformed into pop-up galleries.
The Prevenhuberhaus in Weyer regularly hosts exhibitions by contemporary artists.
As part of the ‘Ateliertage’ in October, numerous artists open their studios and showcase their latest works.
Museums and galleries in the 360° Alpenland region offer cultural activities all year round, whatever the weather. A tour of the exhibitions can easily be combined with a stroll through the town or a visit to a café.
Yes. Themed trails, interactive areas and engaging displays – such as those focusing on the Taschenfeitl or the jaw harp, which bring the region’s history to life – make culture accessible even to young visitors. Here, learning takes place through stories and authentic craftsmanship.
The Steyr City Museum, the Museum of the Working World in Steyr and the Forum Hall regularly organise special activity days and guided tours for children. Information is available on the respective museums’ websites.
Yes. In demonstration workshops and museums – such as those dedicated to the Trattenbach Taschenfeitl – traditional craftsmanship is brought to life. Original workshops and themed trails take visitors on a journey through a 500-year-old tradition of craftsmanship. In many small workshops, visitors can take a look behind the scenes of the production process.
In the south of the region, alpine traditions come to life: whether at the Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner Museum, the Wurbauerkogel Panorama Tower or the Alpineum Hinterstoder. The fascination of the mountain world is brought to life in these small, lovingly designed museums.