
The Papermaker Museum Steyrermühl
Industrial Culture in Its Purest Form
For over 100 years, the premises of the Papermaker Museum have been dedicated to the production of paper and pulp. The museum stands as the largest production facility of its kind in Europe. What captivates visitors each year is not only the sheer scale of the operation but also the modern design that leaves a lasting impression. A visit to the Papermaker Museum is enhanced by the presence of modern computers and touchscreens. Visitors can "communicate" with the exhibition by selecting from the multimedia offerings.
Before the paper mill was constructed in the early 1990s, the Steyrermühl factory, located next door, was in full operation. The decision to build the paper factory directly on the Traun River was influenced by the crucial role water played in transporting raw materials. The nearly perfect paper was crafted in the Steyrermühl paper factory with great craftsmanship and effort. After the pulp was mixed with the help of fine-meshed frame sieves, the paper was pressed and dried in the factory.
Due to the excellent quality, the demand for paper from Steyrermühl skyrocketed, even beyond the monarchy's borders. Unfortunately, the paper mill couldn't meet the high demand. The declining productivity eventually led to the closure of the paper factory in the late 1980s. Not long after, in 1997, the Papierwelten (Paper Worlds) conglomerate was launched, consisting of several museums. The centerpiece of these museums was the Papermaker Museum. In addition to this, there was the Printing Museum, the Fire Brigade Museum, a gallery, and a lithography workshop. A handmade paper mill and the event center ALFA, whose name stands for "Alte Fabrik" (Old Factory), are also part of this unique industrial cultural monument.
As part of the 2024 Cultural Capital and the Industrial Culture project, ALFA will host a symposium in 2023. The central question for the participants is: "Industry, Culture, and Tourism" - how do these elements fit together?