Hammerschmiede Pehn, Aggsbach

The Hammerschmiede Pehn is a historical blacksmith workshop in Schönbühel-Aggsbach powered by three separate water wheels that drive a hammer, bellows, and grinding stone. The building demonstrates how metal crafting work was organized and performed over generations in this Alpine valley.

The workshop developed gradually in response to the region's demand for metal tools and goods over centuries. Operations continued until 1956, when the last blacksmith Josef Pehn passed away, after which the building became a museum site.

The workshop preserves traditional blacksmithing methods that shaped the region's industrial character for centuries. Visitors can observe how craftspeople once used fire and water power to create essential metal tools and goods for surrounding communities.

This site is best experienced with a guided tour, as the mechanical systems are difficult to understand without explanation. Advance arrangements work well for school groups and larger visitors, allowing for proper demonstrations and context.

The museum displays a notable collection of Namibian minerals in a barn section alongside regional stones, offering visitors an unexpected window into geological diversity beyond local history. This mineral exhibition provides tangible contrast between distant African geology and the Alpine setting.