Guided Tour of the Upper Austria Castle Museum in Reichenstein

After years of preparation, the project—carried out by various specialists—opened in April 2013. The new Castle Museum is one of the few new museum buildings constructed in Upper Austria in recent years and is not intended solely as a specialized museum on the topic of “castles.” The building also houses an information center for the Waldaist and Naarn European Protected Area and is, moreover, part of a larger cultural and event center at Reichenstein Castle.

The museum and information center are housed in a newly constructed building that incorporates a section of ancient castle walls uncovered during archaeological excavations and integrates them into the interior design. The roof of the new building rises to the level of the castle courtyard, expanding it into an open-air space between the castle and the surrounding landscape.
The heart of the museum is Alfred Höllhuber’s (1919–2008) private collection of medieval small finds. Thematic scope of the permanent exhibition, however, extends far beyond this. The concept of the permanent exhibition is based on three main themes and the period from the 11th to the 17th century.

People – Space – Land
Castles were the focal points of many manors and, as fortified residential and administrative centers, served as the power bases from which dominion over land and people was exercised. For this reason, special attention is given to the people who lived in castles and left their mark. The focus is on topics related to everyday life, such as housing, diet, work, conflict, and religion. On the other hand, attention is also given to space—in two distinct ways. First, the castle as a living space with its many uses and functions; second, the geographical space—the “land”—that was brought “under subjection” by the medieval and early modern nobility and their retinues through the establishment of settlements and castles.
The focus is on present-day Upper Austria, with a special emphasis on the Lower Mühlviertel region. However, a primary goal of the Castle Museum at Reichenstein Castle is also to introduce and convey the rich and diverse castle landscape of Upper Austria to a broad audience and to inspire people to “explore” the castles throughout the region.

Nature
The second thematic focus is dedicated to the topic of “Nature.” At Reichenstein Castle, located on the Waldaist, there is an information center for the Waldaist-Naarn European Protected Area. This information center is available free of charge to the interested public and offers information and an overview of this ecologically significant region, particularly regarding key conservation areas and the flora and fauna worthy of protection in the Waldaist and Naarn areas.

Events
In addition to operating a museum and the information center, plans also include the development of a diverse program of events. Reichenstein Castle is intended to become not only a place for educating the public about nature and science, but also a vibrant regional arts and culture center, featuring an ambitious program such as special exhibitions and various musical events, regular theater performances, diverse children’s programs, as well as engaging art projects both inside the old castle and in the open spaces of the grounds.