Visit to the Hackenschmiede open-air museum

The Hackenschmiede open-air museum impressively shows the use of water power - particularly interesting for groups who want to immerse themselves in the past and experience the solid craft of blacksmithing together.

With three undershot water wheels, the flow energy of the Wimbach is used to drive the hammer forge's systems - and everything is fully functional. The smallest wheel operates the bellows. This is used to blow air into the three dishes so that the high temperatures are reached in the forge fire, which causes the iron to glow and soften at over 1000 °C. The medium-sized wheel spins a grindstone combined with a drill. The largest water wheel system with a wheel diameter of 3.1 m, a 6 m long grindel and two tail hammers, is the showpiece of the hammer forge.

The hack forge was first mentioned in the Wimsbach parish registers as early as 1604, making it one of the oldest in Austria. The Bad Wimsbach-Neydharting cultural association acquired the hacking forge from the last master blacksmith in 1968 and renovated it from 1975 onwards so that the ceremonial opening as an open-air museum could take place in 1978. A visit to this gem of the pre-industrial age is always worth it. During a blacksmith demonstration, viewers experience the shaping of glowing iron and thus an ancient craft - anyone who has courage and strength can even actively participate.