Outdoor Museum in the Gosau Valley
Brief information in advance
The open-air museum in the Gosau district of "Hintertal" is located on the direct route to the Gosau lakes and can be reached by car or bus. The bus stop is right in front of the site. In addition to numerous events, there are also guided tours of the rustic buildings and the museum grounds. However, these must be registered in advance. You will find the right contact person below in the "Information at a glance" section. And now more information about the open-air museum in the Gosau Valley.
Discoveries along the way
Many of the sights and excursion destinations in the Salzkammergut are obvious: the Salzwelten Salt Mines in Hallstatt or the magical cave worlds in Obertraun. However, other highlights are still waiting to be discovered. This certainly includes the open-air and local history museum in the Gosau Hintertal. If you're on your trip to the Gosau lakes, you should make a stop here.
Living history -Discoveries along the way
The extensive grounds of the open-air museum with a small pond, give a small scale overview of the rural heritage of the Gosau Valley, a portion of the historic cultural landscape of the UNESCO World Heritage region of Hallstatt Dachstein Salzkammergut. The original homestead form of this cultural landscape is the Paarhof. A residential building from the turn of the 16th to the 17th century, a large barn, and various outbuildings are part of the ensemble of this under construction museum.
The Schmiedbauer open-air museum in Gosau was painstakingly dismantled in 1995 and rebuilt in the Hintertal near the reservoir. Thanks to the great support of the federal government, the province of Upper Austria, many experts and numerous friends, the valuable cultural asset from Gosau could be preserved for posterity. The museum was opened in 2002 and has since been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Landscape of the Dachstein Salzkammergut. The basement rooms of the open-air museum offer space for about 50 people and the "Stadl" for about 150. These rooms can be rented for events in a special setting.
Door to Door
In 1995, the typical Gosau Paarhof, in which humans and animals lived under the same roof, was dismantled piece by piece by the "Gosinger Heimatverein" (a local heritage society), numbered and put into storage for two years.
Down-to-earth events
Today, the open-air museum at the foot of the mighty Gosaukamm is one of the most beautiful venues in the Salzkammergut. Every Advent, the “Gosauer Bergweihnacht“ (Gosau Christmas market) attracts visitors from all over the world to the tranquil Gosau Valley. But also atmospheric festivals and exhibitions at different seasons make it a gem of zest for life.
Museum with primeval forest
In addition to the many opportunities for discovery, on the edge of the Gosau reservoir, families will definitely get their money's worth during their visit to the open-air museum. Because right next to the old farmhouses is one of the most beautiful adventure playgrounds of the Salzkammergut: The “Urzeitwald“ (primeval forest). Here children can ride on dinosaurs and float with giant snails over the water. Fun for the whole family.
The open-air museum in Gosau and the adjoining ““Urzeitwald” are the perfect mix for those looking for thrilling experiences and quiet moments at the same time. So head into the Gosau Valley!
Gosau booking - Are you still looking for accommodation?
Hotels and accommodation providers in Hallstatt, Bad Goisern, Gosau and Obertraun offer the ideal room or apartment for your holidays, no matter what your tastes. Aside from establishments rated according to the international "star" scale, you will also find around Lake Hallstatt in Austria businesses that have been awarded two to four "edelweiss". The more flowers, the greater comforts you can expect. Whether you eventually find your cozy nest in an elegant 5-star luxury hotel, at comfortable guesthouse, a family-friendly apartment, or on a traditional farm, the choice is always entirely up to you.