Roseggers Waldschule

School on the Alpl intended to counteract the rural exodus

Peter Rosegger travelled a lot – to study at university, give readings and visit friends. But there is one thing the poet and writer never forgot, and that is how lucky he was to have learnt to write and read as a rural farmer’s son. What would otherwise have become of the little boy with his head full of ‘fanciful nonsense’? This gratitude accompanied Rosegger throughout his life and so, in 1902, after only five months of construction, the Waldschule was built on the Alpl. A fundraising campaign initiated by Rosegger financed the construction; the project was intended as a way to counteract the ongoing rural exodus. On 6 October 1902, 23 children began their schooling at the Waldschule. Rosegger also made provisions in the event that the school might one day become superfluous: ‘The school building is property of the municipality of Krieglach. Should the school on the Alpl become superfluous, the school building is to be put to use in some other good way. For the benefit of the Alpl residents, or if they no longer exist, for the benefit of the entire community of Krieglach – but always only for educational purposes.’

The school was, in fact, operated until 1975, when there were only three children left, who then had to switch to other schools. The children were taught in one classroom from the first to the eighth grade. Some of them quietly did their schoolwork, while others were trained outside in the garden or taught trades. Even today, the children's tools can still be seen in the self-built workshop. Inside the classroom, you can still see the original bench-style seating for students and the platform on which the teacher stood. The first class register is still on view, as well as the blackboard, which had to be moved around by hand. The building was renovated after it ceased to be used as a school and has been a museum since 1982. The classroom and the Rosegger Room are still in their original state. The Waldschule also houses the Austrian Hiking Museum and a large collection of old woodworking tools.

Hours:

• 1 April to 31 October 2020, Tuesday to Sunday 9 AM–5 PM
• 26 December until the end of the Christmas holidays and during the semester break – Tuesday to Sunday, 11 AM to 4 PM, closed on Mondays (except on public holidays)

Admission fees:

• Adults EUR 4.50
• School pupils, university students under the age of 27and apprentices as well as people doing compulsory military or community service: EUR 2.00
• School pupils visiting as a class group: EUR 1.50
• Groups (minimum 7 people), seniors, people with disabilities: EUR 4.00
• Children under the age of 6: free
• Family ticket (2 adults and children under the age of 14): EUR 9.00
• Combi ticket is valid for the Rosegger Geburtshaus, Rosegger Museum Krieglach, Roseggerausstellung St. Kathrein am Hauenstein and the Waldschule Alpl:
  
  • Adults EUR 9.00
  • Children (ages 6–15) EUR 5.00
  • Groups (minimum 7 people): EUR 8.00

Roseggers Waldschule Alpl
8671 Alpl 2
Tel. +43 3855 8238 or mobile +43 664 826 75 75
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.krieglach.at/rosegger-waldschule