Oberösterreichisches Schifffahrtsmuseum

Grein, Upper Austria

ausstellungburgführungmuseumstour

The Upper Austrian Shipping Museum was ceremonially opened in June 1970 on the initiative of Duchess Viktoria Adelheid of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, in the presence of Governor Dr. Heinrich Gleissner. The museum is supported by the Foundation of the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha Family and is almost exclusively equipped with holdings from the Upper Austrian State Museum. The museum houses an impressive exhibition of exhibits documenting the use of the Danube and its tributaries Salzach, Enns, and Traun as inland waterways for transport. Until the mid-19th century, shipping and trade on these waterways were of great importance for the economy of Upper Austria and a source of great prosperity for the city of Grein. The three exhibition halls in the Shipping Museum are dedicated to presenting historical shipping on the rivers of Upper Austria such as the Danube, Traun, and Enns. In the Danube Hall, special models impress: There are models of a Viechtwänger raft, a Pester raft, and the wooden weir of Au an der Donau, as well as countless other, long-gone witnesses of shipping to admire. Of course, models of steamships are also a must, such as that of the first Danube steamship "Maria Anna," which was the first paddle steamer of its kind to be put into operation in 1837 by the Donaudampfschifffahrtsgesellschaft, the largest company in European inland shipping at the time. Other objects shown in the exhibition illustrate that the Danube was used as a trade and transport route long before 1837. Thus, in addition to "Ulmer Schachteln" (Ulm boxes), Waidzillen (wicker boats), and Plätten (flat-bottomed boats), various types of rafts, often named after their departure and/or manufacturing location, are presented. Salt trade and coal transport were paramount, alongside timber transport. The exhibition also makes it clear that numerous professions were hidden behind these areas of responsibility: ship riders, rafters, shipbuilders, among others, are discussed. Organized in guilds, the cohesion of these craft areas was guaranteed. The patron saint of shipping, St. Nicholas, also appears as a central figure in shipping in different contexts in the museum. The museum presentation of the exhibits has a special character and takes visitors back to long-past times. Car and Bus: Autobahn A1 - Exit Amstetten West - Bundesstraße 3 - Kreuznerstraße - Greinburgstraße Parking available at the foot of Greinburg Castle By train: Donauuferbahn - Grein Stadt train station By ship: 2 landing stages - short walk