Upper Austrian Literature Museum, Linz

The Upper Austrian Literature Museum is located in the Stifter House (Stifterhaus), a historic building constructed in 1844 by architect Johann B. Metz. Originally owned by café proprietor Joseph Hartl and later by the Danube Steamship Company, the house gained cultural significance as the residence of the writer and painter Adalbert Stifter, who lived here from 1848 until he died in 1868. In 1973, the state of Upper Austria acquired the property, and after extensive renovations carried out between 1988 and 1992, it reopened in 1993 as the Stifter House, a cultural centre dedicated to literature and language.

Today, the building houses three institutions: the Upper Austrian Literature Museum, the Adalbert Stifter Institute, and the Upper Austrian Literature House. The museum occupies Stifter’s former second-floor apartment, where his preserved study serves as a memorial room displaying original furniture, manuscripts, portraits, drawings, and his death mask. The adjoining rooms present a carefully curated journey through regional literary history, divided into epochs and enriched with multimedia presentations. The museum highlights Stifter as well as other prominent authors, offering visitors an accessible introduction to the literary voices that shaped Upper Austria.

The museum also explores the social and political contexts in which literature developed. Visitors gain insights into how themes such as identity, memory, and regional history were expressed in poetry, prose, and drama.

A visit to the Upper Austrian Literature Museum offers both depth and accessibility-an opportunity to encounter the enduring influence of words in shaping cultural landscapes. It is a rewarding stop for anyone interested in literature, history, or the creative spirit of Upper Austria.