Schmiedemuseum Furth - Impression #1 | © Tourismusverband Murtal

Schmiedemuseum Furth

St. Peter ob Judenburg

...a crooked iron...

The Furth Forge is not only a place where iron was processed into various forms, much more it is a part of St. Peter's culture and history. Where once various people from the surrounding area benefited from the blacksmith's skills, today visitors enjoy a lovingly restored workshop where contemporary art meets traditional blacksmithing.

The forge was first mentioned in 1267 as a "tavern at da bruggn" with a "hammer" and a "hofstadt". This first written reference points to a forge at the inn "Taverne bei da bruggn" with a yard. In 1537 Leonhard Furtner, subject of the St. Peter validity, was mentioned as the owner of the hammer and thus of the forge. Historical records show that in 1597 the "Hufschmiede am Furth" became the property of the church of St. Peter.

The representation of the castle rights of Mrs. Katharina Furtnerin was taken over by the Zechpröpsten of the parish. Katharina married for the second time Veit Veichtinger, the landlord of Furth. After his death she transferred the forge to her son-in-law Michael Paller.

In 1646 the forge was plundered by passing mercenaries. They stole all the ironwork. In addition, there was a major fire.

In 1655, the blacksmith Simon Straucher bought the property, which had been badly damaged after the fire and was now completely impoverished. In 1695, Simon Straucher's widow sells the smithy to the blacksmith Josef Säringer, who calls himself "Huf und Wagenschmied" for the first time. In the following years there is an economic upswing and the once burnt ruin has become a flourishing business.

In 1732 the Seiringer widow sells the forge to Simon Schleifer. After the successful years, harder times followed and the blacksmith and his son Simon and his heirs sold the forge with many debts.

In 1802 Simon Stangl acquires the blacksmith's shop, and it remains in his possession until August von Rabcewitz buys it in 1880. In 1926 the forge changes hands again. Francizek Kritz, an immigrant from Bohemia, acquired the forge. In 1946 his son Roman took over his father's business. Due to the subsequent motorization, the economic efficiency of the forge decreased more and more, which is why the forge was closed down in 1977. At that time Roman Kitz and Karoline Jetz, daughter of Franz Kritz, innkeeper in Hohentauern, were the owners of the forge. After the death of Karoline Jetz, the forge changed owners again.

In 2003, the Moscher family, led by Erich Moscher, took over the inheritance and restored the smithy to its former glory. The run-down and dusty forge became a museum with show forge performances and numerous other events.

Contact

Furth-Schmiede
Walter Dorfer
Furth 7
8755 St. Peter ob Judenburg
Moile +43 664 9830446

What the weather will be like

St. Peter ob Judenburg (743m)

Morning
foggy
8°C
65%
0 km/h
Noon
weather.icon.66
11°C
85%
5 km/h
Night
foggy
10°C
85%
5 km/h
Rain for most of the day, maximum intensities around noon.
Morning
cloudy
8°C
50%
0 km/h
Noon
slightly cloudy
17°C
40%
5 km/h
Night
cloudy
14°C
50%
0 km/h
Sunshine and cloudiness will alternate throughout the day. A chance of showers towards evening.
05.05.2024
sunny
6°C 20°C
06.05.2024
slightly cloudy
7°C 21°C
07.05.2024
cloudy
9°C 17°C