Dauerausstellung "DIE ZILLE"

NEW ATTRACTION FOR VISITORS TO THE DANUBE CYCLE PATH AND DONAUSTEIG

: Traditions—History—Museum

On September 27, 2014, Provincial Councilor Dr. Michael Strugl opened the permanent exhibition “Die Zille” at the Hotel und Seminarkultur an der Donau.

The exhibition was initiated by the Association of Boatmen from the Upper Danube Valley. The association was founded in 1992. Its goal is to preserve and honor the legacy of the boatmen of the Upper Danube Valley, as they played a particularly important role in the region’s economic and cultural life. Austria’s last two zille builders—the Witti and Königsdorfer companies—are still based today in the Upper Austrian Danube region, in the municipality of Hofkirchen. The permanent exhibition in Wesenufer now offers insight into this fascinating craftsmanship.

"Die Zille" expands the offerings at the Hotel & Seminarkultur on the Danube. Even during the planning phase of the hotel in Wesenufer, plans were already in place to incorporate a permanent exhibition on the topic of wooden barge construction. Now, following the second phase of construction—during which the hotel was expanded and part of the old building was renovated—the exhibition has been realized.
The planning, implementation, and opening of the exhibition took place in collaboration with the municipality of Waldkirchen, the Hotel & Seminarkultur an der Donau, the Donau Oberösterreich Marketing Association, and the Association of Boatmen of the Upper Danube Valley.

“Die Zille” highlights the role of Zille and wooden boat building in history and the present day, showcasing interesting models of wooden boats and the tools used to craft them.

The Hotel & Seminarkultur an der Donau will also incorporate the exhibition into its future program development. In addition to an overnight stay or a seminar at the hotel, guests can also visit the permanent exhibition and cycle along the new section of the Danube Cycle Path between Wesenufer and the Schlögener Schlinge to the workshops of the last Zille builders, Witti and Königsdorfer.
The exhibition may also be of interest to guests traveling on a cruise along the Danube, as the Wesenufer boat landing is located right next to the hotel.