Old meets new, past meets present. Two architectural worlds meet under one roof in the Bezau Museum. The listed building with its modern extension is itself an impressive exhibit. A showpiece that brings architectural and craftsmanship expertise to life. Stories from Bezau and the Bregenzerwald, customs and traditions are brought to life here.
In terms of content, the museum spans four narrative frames:
- The history of the Baroque period and Bezau’s Baroque master builders
- The historical and contemporary women’s crafts
- The historical living culture in the Bregenzerwald
- Bregenzerwald self-images and images of others
Bregenzerwald living culture: in the kitchen, parlor and gadô
The founder of the Bezau Museum of Local History, Anna Katharina Feuerstein, secured a permanent home for her work in this Bregenzerwald farmhouse. Its typical living area consists of the “Kuche” – the kitchen – the adjoining “Stubô” – the large living room – and the “Gadô” – the bedroom.
Women in the Bregenzerwald: crafts and homework
In addition to caring for the house, farm and children, women demonstrated a wide range of craft skills.They became sought-after workers, especially in embroidery. Homework enabled them to earn a living from small-scale farming. With the import of cotton, homework increased considerably at the beginning of the 18th century. In the middle of the 19th century, the chain stitch embroidery machine arrived in the Bregenzerwald: it rattled away in many houses until well into the 20th century.
Baroque master builders: craftsmanship and entrepreneurial expertise
The building industry flourished again in Europe after the Thirty Years’ War. The craftsmen from the Bregenzerwald moved abroad and demonstrated their skills on many building sites. In order to preserve and pass on this knowledge, among other things, craft guilds were founded in the region, which were both professional associations and brotherhoods for bricklayers, carpenters and stonemasons.Today’s craftsmen’s association is also committed to the Bezau guild tradition.
Opening hours with guided tours
Summer:
Mon 1 – 5 pm
Thu 3 – 7 p.m.
Fri-Sun 10 am – 5 pm
Guided tours summer:
Mon 3.30 pm, Thu 5 pm, Sun 3.30 pm
Winter:
Mon, Wed, Thu and Fri 2 – 6 pm
Sun 10 am – 5 pm
Guided tours winter:
Mon, Wed, Fri 4.30 pm and Sun 3.30 pm
