Jaukermühle

The Palais Löwenfeld, once known as the Jaukermühle, is a former factory owner’s villa in Linz’s Kleinmünchen district. It sits in a quiet residential area, surrounded by modern buildings yet retaining its historic presence. The site began as a grain mill in the early 18th century, later becoming a cotton printing works under Johann Wilhelm Rübsamen in 1825. The Löwenfeld & Hofmann textile company bought it in 1852 and transformed it into a grand residence in the 1880s. The villa’s architecture reflects its industrial past and later elegance. Ignaz Scheck redesigned it in the Neorenaissance style, creating a four-winged main building with richly painted ceilings and ornate staircases. During a 2015–2017 restoration, faded decorative paintings in distemper were uncovered and repaired. Above the entrance, a carved lion’s head by stone carver Karl Kohn bears a playful insult to the original owner, a private act of defiance from the craftsman. Visitors find a carefully preserved historic house with grand rooms and intricate details. The restored interiors show the craftsmanship of the 19th century, from painted ceilings to delicate wall decorations. The building stands as a quiet reminder of Linz’s industrial heritage, now protected and open to those who appreciate its story.