Universitatsstrasse 2
Tel. 0512 594 89510
Open:
daily
The Tiroler Volkskunstmuseum, also known as
the Tyrolean Folk Art Museum, is a renowned cultural
institution in Innsbruck, Austria, dedicated to preserving
and showcasing the folk art, traditions, and everyday life
of the Tyrol region, encompassing North Tyrol, South Tyrol,
and Trentino. Established in 1888 and opened to the public
in 1929, it is part of the Tiroler Landesmuseen (Tyrolean
State Museums) network and houses one of Europe's most
significant collections of folk art, with over 30,000
artifacts. The museum explores pre-modern thought worlds,
historical living realities, and the intersection of art,
craftsmanship, everyday culture, and mass production. It
emphasizes how past experiences shape contemporary society,
addressing themes like precarious existence, seasonal
cycles, and cultural identity. Housed in a historic former
Franciscan monastery adjacent to the Hofkirche and opposite
the Hofburg in Innsbruck's Old Town, the museum blends
historical architecture with modern interpretations,
offering visitors an immersive journey through Tyrolean
heritage. It attracts history buffs, families, and cultural
enthusiasts with its interactive elements, special
exhibitions, and events that promote discourse and
inspiration.
The museum's origins trace back to 1888, when it was founded as the
"Tiroler Gewerbemuseum" (Tyrolean Trade Museum) by the Trade Association
to mark Emperor Franz Josef's 40th anniversary. Initially focused on
exemplary commercial products from ecclesiastical and secular crafts, it
responded to cultural pessimism amid industrialization by collecting
high-quality, artisanal items that highlighted craftsmanship and
material authenticity. Anton Kofler, a key figure in Tyrolean commerce
and tourism, led the effort to acquire contemporary and pre-industrial
objects.
By the early 20th century, the collection expanded to
include "old Tyrolean applied arts," such as decorated tools, furniture,
and religious items from the historic County of Tyrol. In 1926, the
state of Tyrol assumed ownership, renaming it the Tiroler
Volkskunstmuseum. It opened in 1929 under art historian Josef Ringler,
positioning itself as the "largest homeland museum of the German Alpine
regions" to foster Tyrolean identity post-World War I division. During
the Nazi era, director Gertrud Pesendorfer established a costume office
tied to the NS Women's League, a period later critically examined in
museum projects.
Post-1945, the museum reopened in 1948 as a
"treasure chamber of the Tyrolean people," expanding under directors
like Franz Colleselli (focusing on furniture and nativity scenes) and
Hans Gschnitzer (adding simpler items like agricultural tools). Since
the 1980s, under a cultural studies approach, it has emphasized social
dimensions, documenting change and incorporating contemporary
acquisitions. Today, it continues to evolve, addressing migration,
modern archaeology, and interdisciplinary collaborations, while serving
as a space for events and contemporary art.
The museum occupies four wings of a former 16th-century Franciscan
monastery, a historic building that adds to its atmospheric charm.
Displaced Franciscans later founded the Lienz Friary. The structure
features an arcaded Renaissance courtyard, providing a serene central
space for visitors. Key architectural highlights include 14 restored
wood-paneled rooms (Stuben) from Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque
periods, sourced from historical farms, noble houses, and monasteries
across Tyrol. These rooms, with intricate paneling, externally heated
ovens (post-1500 innovation), and period furnishings, were integrated
during the 1929 opening.
The building's layout spans multiple floors,
with barrier-free access via elevators and a main entrance on
Universitätsstraße. Its location in Innsbruck's Altstadt integrates
seamlessly with nearby landmarks like the Hofkirche (accessible via the
museum) and Hofburg. Renovations, such as the library's reopening in
2024, ensure modern accessibility while preserving historical integrity.
The architecture reflects Tyrolean building traditions, blending
functionality with aesthetic elements like carved details and regional
motifs.
The museum's vast collection, spanning the late Middle Ages to the
20th century (with a focus on the 18th–20th), includes artifacts at the
crossroads of art, crafts, everyday culture, and mass production. Core
areas encompass work and craftsmanship, piety and magic, household
items, furniture, textiles, tools, metalwork, religious and secular folk
art, traditional costumes, nativity scenes, and objects related to
customs and festivals. Highlights include richly decorated whetstone
quivers from Fassatal, horn products from Sterzing, painted wooden
chests from Zillertal, chromolithographs, reverse glass paintings, and
agricultural implements. The collection emphasizes the Euroregion
Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino, acquired through antiques trade, donations,
and targeted expansions to include ordinary items reflecting social
history.
Permanent exhibitions are thematically organized:
Das
Prekäre Leben (The Precarious Life): Explores pre-modern dangers (e.g.,
illness, accidents) and coping strategies via faith and magic, with
displays like protective cradles, rosaries with "envy figs," and Vanitas
motifs on towel holders.
Erb-Gut (Heritage Study Collection):
Showcases artisanal excellence in response to industrialization,
featuring marriage-related items, inheritance artifacts, and home
industry products.
Stuben: Mein und doch nicht mein (Rooms: Mine and
Yet Not Mine): 14 historical parlors from Gothic to Rococo, mostly from
South Tyrol/Trentino, illustrating domestic life and social gatherings.
Trachten: Schein und Sein (Costumes: Appearance and Reality): 48 wooden
figurines by Virgil Rainer depicting 18th–19th-century costumes, plus a
reconstructed 1900s photo studio exploring romanticized rural ideals.
Das Pralle Jahr (The Full Year): Depicts agricultural cycles and
festivals with tavern games, alpine wreaths, procession poles, and
carnival figures.
Miniaturen des Evangeliums (Miniatures of the
Gospel): Over 20 nativity scenes from Baroque to contemporary, tracing
their evolution from churches (first in Innsbruck 1608) to homes.
Maximilians letzter Wille (Maximilian's Last Will): Focuses on Emperor
Maximilian I's cenotaph in the adjacent Hofkirche, with related
historical figures.
Temporary exhibitions in 2025 include
"Ostern" (Easter-themed, March 5–April 27, exploring seasonal
traditions) and events like the Alpen Classica Festival (October,
featuring concerts in the museum). The museum hosts contemporary art
series like "Kunst in den Stuben" biennially and addresses modern themes
like migration and societal change.
As one of Europe's premier folk art museums, the Tiroler Volkskunstmuseum plays a vital role in preserving Tyrolean cultural heritage, bridging past and present through its collections and programs. It won the European Museum of the Year Award in 1990, recognizing its innovative approach to folklore and cultural studies. The museum fosters regional identity across borders, embedding local artifacts in broader European contexts. It pioneered exhibitions on labor migration in the 1960s–1970s and integrates contemporary art, making it a dynamic space for discourse on coexistence, change, and diversity. Annual events like the Festival of Diversity (in collaboration with the City of Innsbruck) highlight its commitment to inclusivity. With interdisciplinary ties to universities and institutions, it inspires curiosity and shapes understandings of Alpine culture, attracting over 100,000 visitors yearly.
Location: Universitätsstraße 2, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria (next to
Hofkirche, in the Old Town). Easily reachable by foot, bike, public
transport, or car; paid parking nearby.
Opening Hours (as of 2025):
Daily 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Special hours: December 24 (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM,
free entry); December 25 (closed); December 31 (9:00 AM – 2:00 PM). Last
admission 30 minutes before closing.
Adults €9 €14
Reduced
(seniors, students, groups) €7 €11
Children/Youth under 19 Free Free
Students (with proof) Free Free
Accessibility: Fully
barrier-free with elevators, accessible toilets, and allowance for guide
dogs. Stroller-friendly; changing tables available.
Guided Tours and
Features: Bookable group tours; audio guides and museum app (in multiple
languages) for self-guided visits. Family-oriented with interactive
elements.
Tips for Visitors: Allow 1–2 hours; combine with Hofkirche
(included in some tickets). Download the app for enhanced info. Wi-Fi,
shop, and cloakroom on-site. Check for events like festivals or
concerts. Confirm details via official website, as hours may vary for
holidays.