The Gasteiner Museum in Bad Gastein, Austria, is a small but fascinating regional museum dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich history, culture, and traditions of the Gastein Valley. Located in the historic Grand Hotel de l’Europe at Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Strasse 14, in the heart of Bad Gastein’s spa town, the museum offers a deep dive into the valley’s thermal water heritage, gold mining past, traditional customs, and artistic legacy. Established in 1936, it has faced challenges over the decades but remains a vital cultural institution, appealing to visitors interested in history beyond the town’s renowned spas and ski slopes.
Location: Grand Hotel de l’Europe, Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Strasse 14,
5640 Bad Gastein, Salzburg, Austria, within the Hohe Tauern National
Park, at approximately 1,000 meters above sea level.
Established:
June 28, 1936, with the “Gasteiner Jubilee Exhibition” commemorating the
500th anniversary of Emperor Friedrich III’s visit.
Focus: The
history of Bad Gastein’s thermal springs, gold and silver mining, local
traditions (e.g., Krampus and Perchten), and a 19th-century art gallery.
Cultural Status: One of Salzburg’s oldest regional museums, operated by
the Verein der Freunde des Gasteiner Museums (Association of Friends of
the Gastein Museum), with a collection enriched by local families.
Proximity to Attractions: 210 meters from Bad Gastein Waterfall, 180
meters from Christophoruskirche, 50 meters from Hotel Badeschloss, and
650 meters from Bad Gastein Train Station.
The Gasteiner Museum’s history reflects the cultural resilience
of Bad Gastein, a town shaped by its spa and mining heritage. Key
milestones include:
Founding (1936): The museum opened on
June 28, 1936, with the “Gasteiner Jubilee Exhibition,” celebrating
500 years since Emperor Friedrich III’s spa visit in 1436. Curated
by spa director Heinrich von Zimburg, the exhibition drew
high-profile attendees, including Federal President Wilhelm Miklas,
Salzburg Governor Franz Rehrl, and Mayor Fritz Obrutschka,
underscoring its significance. Local families contributed artifacts,
laying the foundation for a permanent museum.
Early Growth: The
collection expanded with donations, including paintings by Archduke
Johann’s court artists (Thomas Ender and Matthäus Loder),
spa-related models, Gastein minerals, and gold mining memorabilia,
reflecting the valley’s diverse history.
World War II Closure
(1939): The outbreak of World War II forced the museum’s closure,
with loaned items returned to families. Reconstruction began in
1946, bolstered by a mineral collection from Böckstein collectors.
However, the museum struggled in the cramped “Grillparzer corner” of
the old Kursaal, limiting its development.
Revival (1974–1975):
The Verein der Freunde des Gasteiner Museums, founded in 1974 by
Hermann Greinwald, Fritz Gruber, Fritz Kutter, and Karl Winter,
revitalized the museum. Mayor Anton Kerschbaumer provided space in
Haus Austria, where it reopened on December 26, 1974, with an
exhibition on Gastein’s folk customs. Special exhibitions, such as
“Tauernkristalle” and “History of Gastein in Old Views,” followed,
cementing its role as a cultural hub.
Relocations (2008–2011):
The 2008 sale of Haus Austria by the Bad Gastein municipality forced
another closure. Determined to keep the museum in the town center,
the association, with support from Grand Hotel de l’Europe owner
Rosina Tscherne, relocated to the hotel. After renovations by FLEUS
Salzburg architects, the museum reopened on November 15, 2011, in
its current, more prominent location.
The Gasteiner Museum is housed in the Grand Hotel de l’Europe, a late historicist building constructed from 1906 to 1909 by Linz cathedral master builder Matthäus Schlager. The hotel’s ornate facade, Art Nouveau pavilion, and grand interiors provide a fitting backdrop for the museum, though its faded grandeur mirrors Bad Gastein’s economic challenges. The museum occupies rented exhibition and storage spaces within the hotel, designed by FLEUS Salzburg to enhance accessibility and presentation. The compact layout, described as a “small walk-through,” maximizes the use of space to display artifacts effectively. The hotel’s central location, just 210 meters from the Bad Gastein Waterfall, integrates the museum into the town’s historic core, though some visitors note the hotel’s dated ambiance adds a “dark and sad” atmosphere.
The Gasteiner Museum’s permanent exhibitions focus on five key
themes, offering a comprehensive look at the Gastein Valley’s heritage:
Thermal Water and Spa History:
Explores Bad Gastein’s thermal
springs, used since Roman times and studied by Theophrastus Paracelsus
in the 16th century. Exhibits include spa models, historical bathing
equipment, and documents tracing the town’s rise as a health resort,
frequented by figures like Emperor Franz Joseph I, Empress Elisabeth
(Sisi), and Otto von Bismarck.
Highlights the Gasteiner Heilstollen
(healing tunnel), where radon therapy, discovered in 1940, treats
ailments like rheumatism and respiratory issues.
Tauern Gold and
Mining:
Showcases the Gastein Valley’s gold and silver mining history
(1342–1945), centered on the Radhausberg. Artifacts include miners’
tools, Böckstein collectors’ minerals, and memorabilia from the 1557
mining peak, when 830 kg of gold and 2,733 kg of silver were extracted.
A functional model of a gold processing plant complements displays at
the nearby Montanmuseum Altböckstein.
Gastein Traditions:
Focuses on local customs, including the Perchtenlauf festival (held
every four years, e.g., 2010, 2014, 2018), featuring Krampus and
Perchten costumes. Exhibits include masks, photos, and Nikolaus-related
items, illustrating the valley’s pagan-Christian syncretism.
Highlights literary contributions, such as works by Karl Heinrich
Waggerl, a Bad Gastein author celebrated in a dedicated display.
Painting Gallery:
Features 19th-century landscape paintings by
Archduke Johann’s court artists, Thomas Ender and Matthäus Loder,
capturing Bad Gastein’s waterfalls and Alps. These rare originals,
donated by local families, are a highlight, showcasing the Romantic
era’s fascination with the valley’s scenery.
Includes vintage tourist
posters and historical photographs from the Austro-Hungarian Empire’s
Kaiserzeit.
Historical Overview:
A chronological journey
through Gastein’s history, covering geology, early inhabitants, and
notable events, such as Emperor Friedrich III’s visit and the 1865
Gasteiner Konvention, signed at Hotel Straubinger. Exhibits feature
historical figures (e.g., Franz Schubert, who composed the “Gasteiner”
Piano Sonata) and winter sports stars.
Special Exhibitions: The
museum hosts rotating displays, such as “Mit Rucksack und Bergschuhen zu
Gasteiner Alpenvereinshütten” (2023), focusing on alpine hiking culture.
The Gasteiner Museum offers an informative and intimate experience,
though its small size and funding challenges shape visitor perceptions.
It ranks #12 of 30 activities in Bad Gastein on Tripadvisor, with
generally positive reviews tempered by critiques of its presentation.
Positives:
Rich Content: Visitors praise the museum’s
“interesting exhibition” on Bad Gastein’s history, covering geology, spa
culture, mining, and traditions. The painting gallery, with 19th-century
originals, is a standout, described as “high-quality” for a regional
museum.
Affordability: Admission is €4 for adults, free for children
under 12, and included with the SalzburgerLand Card. The low cost makes
it accessible for families.
Historical Walks: Every Wednesday at 3:30
PM, the museum organizes a two-hour guided historical tour of Bad
Gastein, visiting the glacier mill, thermal spring park, parish church,
and Nikolauskirche. The tour costs €6 with a Gastein Card (€8 without)
and occurs regardless of weather, though it is offered only in German.
Audio Guides: Free audio guides in English and Italian enhance
accessibility for international visitors, complementing the primarily
German signage.
Cultural Support: Reviews encourage visiting to
support local attractions beyond spas and skiing, noting its value for
history enthusiasts.
Challenges:
Presentation: Some visitors
find the museum “dark and sad,” citing outdated display cases,
insufficient dusting, and a lack of modern upkeep due to funding
shortages. The Grand Hotel de l’Europe’s faded ambiance contributes to a
“neglected” feel, with one reviewer suggesting relocation to a livelier
hotel.
Small Scale: Described as a “small walk-through,” the museum
can be explored in 30–60 minutes, which may disappoint those expecting a
larger institution like Salzburg’s Haus der Natur.
Language Barrier:
The guided historical walk is German-only, limiting its appeal for
non-German speakers despite the audio guides.
Location Context: Bad
Gastein’s “dead” town center, with some shuttered buildings, contrasts
with the vibrant surrounding areas, affecting the museum’s atmosphere.
Events and Engagement: The museum hosts lectures, readings, and
museum trips, advertised via its Facebook and Instagram pages. A €25
annual membership offers free admission, special tours, discounted entry
to Salzburg museums, and two issues of the Gasteiner Museumsbote
magazine, featuring articles on local history.
Nearby Amenities:
Visitors can dine at nearby establishments like Café Dorfbäckerei,
Restaurant Jägerhäusl (120 meters), or Mozartstüberl at Hotel Mozart,
offering Austrian cuisine and a chance to relax post-visit.
Opening Hours (2025): Daily (except Monday) from 2:30 PM to 6:00 PM.
Historical walks occur every Wednesday at 3:30 PM, meeting at the museum
entrance.
Admission:
Adults: €4 (€3 with Gastein Card).
Children (up to 12): Free.
SalzburgerLand Card: Free unlimited entry.
Historical Walk: €6 with Gastein Card (€8 without).
Contact:
Phone: +43 6434 3488
Email: info@gasteinermuseum.com
Website:
www.gasteinermuseum.com
Social Media: Active on Facebook and
Instagram for event updates.
Accessibility:
By Foot: Located
in Bad Gastein’s center, a 2-minute walk from the waterfall (210 meters)
or Hotel Badeschloss (50 meters). The town’s steep terrain requires
sturdy shoes.
By Car: From Salzburg (96 km, 75 minutes), take the A10
and B311. Park at the waterfall multi-storey car park (250 meters,
€8.50/day).
By Train: Bad Gastein Train Station (650 meters,
10-minute walk) connects to Salzburg and Vienna via the Tauern Railway.
Postbus Line 550 stops nearby.
Disability Access: The Grand Hotel de
l’Europe has elevators, but the museum’s historic setting may pose
challenges; contact staff for details.
Visitor Tips:
Visit in
summer (June–August) for historical walks and pleasant weather, or
winter for a cultural break from skiing.
Use the Gastein Card
(available at hotels) for discounted admission and transport.
Check
the museum’s social media for event schedules, such as lectures or
special exhibitions.
Combine with a waterfall visit,
Christophoruskirche (180 meters), or Montanmuseum Altböckstein (2 km)
for a half-day itinerary.
Bring a camera for the painting gallery and
hotel’s historic ambiance.
The Gasteiner Museum is a cornerstone of Bad Gastein’s cultural identity, preserving the valley’s legacy as a spa, mining, and cultural hub. Its collection, built on community contributions, reflects the Gastein Valley’s unique blend of natural wonders (thermal springs, Tauern gold) and traditions (Perchtenlauf, Krampus). The museum’s focus on 19th-century art connects it to the Romantic era, when painters like Ender captured the valley’s allure, inspiring visitors like Franz Schubert and Arthur Schopenhauer. Its relocation to the Grand Hotel de l’Europe in 2011, despite funding challenges, underscores the community’s commitment to maintaining a central cultural space, supported by the Verein der Freunde and figures like Fritz Gruber, whose Mosaiksteine zur Geschichte Gasteins documents the valley’s past. The museum’s role in offering historical walks and the Gasteiner Museumsbote further cements its educational value.