Notburga Museum

Saint Notburga, who was a simple servant during her lifetime in the 13th century, was helping the poor and sick. Today she is regarded as the most popular saint of western Austria. Her history is depicted at the Notburga Museum in Eben.

Notburga was born in Rattenberg in Tirol around 1265 to a family of hatters. At the age of 18 she came to work on the Rottenburg castle, where Count Henry was court master of Tirol. Soon she was very popular with the count, his wife Gutta and the servants. Within a short time, Notburga became head cook and doorkeeper of the castle. Notburga distributed leftovers and what she "scrimped and saved" to the poor.
After the death of Count Henry and his wife, young Count Henry married the hard-hearted and stingy Ottilia, and the poor and Notburga herself were expelled from the castle. Notburga became the maid of a farmer in Eben, where she fought for free evenings and Sunday rest.
Notburga granted reconciliation to the dying Countess Ottilia and returned to the Rottenburg castle at the request of Count Henry. Peace was restored and the poor were given their place and their bread. Notburga also succeeded in establishing peace between the brothers Count Henry and Count Seifried.
Notburga died in 1313 on the Rottenburg castle. In accordance with her request, her corpse was placed on a carriage which two oxen dragged through the river Inn to Eben, where Notburga was buried in the Ruperti chapel.