Augustinian Museum Rattenberg

In the middle of the medieval small town of Rattenberg, Austria’s smallest city, lies one of Tyrol’s most important museums: the Augustinian Museum. Housed in the historic rooms of the former Augustinian and later Servite monastery, the museum impresses with its unique atmosphere, valuable art treasures, and spectacular insights into the past.

Art, culture, and unique insights

The Augustinian Museum Rattenberg displays Tyrolean art treasures from nine centuries – from Romanesque masterpieces and impressive Gothic sculptures to Baroque splendor. In addition to art history exhibitions, visitors will also find examples of religious folk art, as well as rotating special exhibitions and concerts held in the cloister.

Particularly fascinating are the architectural features of the museum itself: the "Augustinerhimmel", the first monumental ceiling fresco in Tyrol, can be admired up close. Another highlight is Tyrol’s only church tower open to the public. Here, guests will find a Baroque tower clock, historic bells, and a viewing platform with breathtaking views over the rooftops of Rattenberg and the Inn Valley. The mysterious church attic, which visitors can walk around on wooden planks, also provides the feeling of experiencing a piece of history up close.

The roots of the Augustinian Museum lie in the former Augustinian and later Servite monastery, which was founded in 1384 and remained in operation until 1971. By the end of the 1970s, however, Rattenberg’s churches and monastery buildings were severely threatened by decay. To save them, the campaign "Save the Rattenberg Churches" was launched. At the time, parish priest Dr. Hans-Walter Vavrovsky proposed creating a museum of sacred art within the monastery – an idea that soon became a reality.

Between 1989 and 1993, the monastery complex was extensively restored and converted into a museum. On May 1, 1993, the Augustinian Museum Rattenberg opened its doors for the first time. Today, it is considered one of Tyrol’s most important museums and has received numerous awards – including the Austrian Museum Prize and the Tyrolean Museum Prize.

The Augustinian Museum is located on the eastern edge of Rattenberg, Austria’s smallest town, directly in the Inn Valley. The museum is easy to reach by both car and public transportation.

By car, you can reach the town via the Inntalautobahn A12, exit Kramsach. From there, follow the signs to Rattenberg, which is only about three kilometers away. Paid parking is available directly at the eastern entrance to the town (parking lots P4 and P5), from where the museum is just a few minutes’ walk.

Rattenberg is also very well connected by public transport: the Rattenberg-Kramsach train station lies directly on the Kufstein–Innsbruck rail line and is only about a five-minute walk from the old town. From there, a short stroll through the narrow streets leads directly to the Augustinian Museum. This makes it easy to combine your museum visit with a leisurely walk through the town.