Stadtmuseum Bludenz: A Journey Through Time

The Stadtmuseum Bludenz, located within the Oberen Tor (Upper Gate), serves as a visible reminder of the town's historical fortifications. Since 1922, the museum has been located in this building. The Oberen Tor, also known as the Feldkircher Tor, is situated at the western end of Kirchgasse and Herrengasse. The museum's collection provides a tangible connection to Bludenz's past, allowing visitors to explore the events, people, and traditions that have shaped its identity. The museum's concept, until the 21st century, was based on Alfons Leuprecht's idea of a "small universal museum" developed around 1920. The exhibition, which is based on the museum's collection, was redesigned starting in 2019 as part of a project supported by the European Union's Leader Program. The focus is on the town's history during the Middle Ages and early modern times, as well as the former function of the Oberen Tor. New insights into the building's history have also been incorporated into the exhibition. The Oberen Tor itself was constructed in the fourth quarter of the 15th century. The three-story gate building with a hipped roof slightly protrudes beyond the city wall. The gate is a pointed archway, with a row of loopholes on the upper floor. A fresco of Duke Frederick V of Austria, who confirmed Bludenz's town privileges in 1420, was painted by Hubert Fritz in 1948. Inside the town, there is a fresco of Archangel Michael battling Satan from around 1774.