--- title: Königsdorfer Boat Builder url: "https://www.donauregion.at/en/oesterreich-poi/detail/402264/koenigsdorfer-boat-builder.html" description: Crafts - TraditionsIn the village of Niederranna, the family-run Königsdorfer business builds traditional Zillen. date: 2015-07-24 modified: 2026-03-05 --- # Königsdorfer Boat Builder Königsdorfer Boat Builder =========================== Hofkirchen im Mühlkreis, Oberösterreich, Österreich ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/260x195/206537/0BB9F5DACEA5015DE949AB6918A387DF06B6F2212FB5EA780FE70FF3DD0E572E/zillenbau-koenigsdorferniederranna150925339wgd-donau-oberoesterreich-tourismus-gmbh-peter-podpera.jpg) ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/260x195/206538/97FCBA3FC4EFCBB18AC3951AF7CEAA68016B2DB949C7815DF530066396C33530/zillenbau-koenigsdorferniederranna150925500wgd-donau-oberoesterreich-tourismus-gmbh-peter-podpera.jpg) ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/260x195/206539/A33723E47D0E65F2C4DCA5CB13A75436BEBC382727D62A4024CA4BE28636F8F3/zillenbau-koenigsdorferniederranna150925606wgd-donau-oberoesterreich-tourismus-gmbh-peter-podpera.jpg) © Open copyright © WGD Donau Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH-Peter Podpera Close copyright [ ![Zillenbauer Königsdorfer in Hofkirchen im Mühlkreis: In the picture we see two men sitting together on a rustic wooden bench. The older man is wearing glasses and has a beard, while the younger man has a friendly expression. They appear to be in a rural setting surrounded by trees and make a relaxed impression.](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/206537/0BB9F5DACEA5015DE949AB6918A387DF06B6F2212FB5EA780FE70FF3DD0E572E/zillenbau-koenigsdorferniederranna150925339wgd-donau-oberoesterreich-tourismus-gmbh-peter-podpera.jpg "© WGD Donau Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH-Peter Podpera") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/206537/0BB9F5DACEA5015DE949AB6918A387DF06B6F2212FB5EA780FE70FF3DD0E572E/zillenbau-koenigsdorferniederranna150925339wgd-donau-oberoesterreich-tourismus-gmbh-peter-podpera.jpg) © Open copyright © WGD Donau Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH-Peter Podpera Close copyright [ ![Zillenbauer Königsdorfer in Hofkirchen im Mühlkreis: A wooden boat lies on the water, surrounded by peaceful surroundings. The boat has a classic design and is equipped with accessories such as oars. It is located on a platform or jetty, indicating a place of tourism or relaxation.](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/206538/97FCBA3FC4EFCBB18AC3951AF7CEAA68016B2DB949C7815DF530066396C33530/zillenbau-koenigsdorferniederranna150925500wgd-donau-oberoesterreich-tourismus-gmbh-peter-podpera.jpg "© WGD Donau Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH-Peter Podpera") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/206538/97FCBA3FC4EFCBB18AC3951AF7CEAA68016B2DB949C7815DF530066396C33530/zillenbau-koenigsdorferniederranna150925500wgd-donau-oberoesterreich-tourismus-gmbh-peter-podpera.jpg) © Open copyright © WGD Donau Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH-Peter Podpera Close copyright [ ![Zillenbauer Königsdorfer in Hofkirchen im Mühlkreis: A charming hotel with traditional architecture, surrounded by lush vegetation and mountains in the background. Several balconies of the building are decorated with flowers. Boats can be seen on the water in front of the hotel.](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/206539/A33723E47D0E65F2C4DCA5CB13A75436BEBC382727D62A4024CA4BE28636F8F3/zillenbau-koenigsdorferniederranna150925606wgd-donau-oberoesterreich-tourismus-gmbh-peter-podpera.jpg "© WGD Donau Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH-Peter Podpera") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/206539/A33723E47D0E65F2C4DCA5CB13A75436BEBC382727D62A4024CA4BE28636F8F3/zillenbau-koenigsdorferniederranna150925606wgd-donau-oberoesterreich-tourismus-gmbh-peter-podpera.jpg) © Open copyright © WGD Donau Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH-Peter Podpera Close copyright [ ![Zillenbauer Königsdorfer in Hofkirchen im Mühlkreis: In this photo we see a hand holding several long brown sticks, which are possibly food or something similar. The sticks are wrapped in narrow, lighter-coloured strips reminiscent of organic material. The background is blurred so that the focus is entirely on the hand and the wrapped sticks.](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/206540/733BB955C89C4FDCAE7E58F0B329F5672158D62E63B724195BDAC3123743FAE4/zillenbau-koenigsdorferniederranna150925646wgd-donau-oberoesterreich-tourismus-gmbh-peter-podpera.jpg "© WGD Donau Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH-Peter Podpera") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/206540/733BB955C89C4FDCAE7E58F0B329F5672158D62E63B724195BDAC3123743FAE4/zillenbau-koenigsdorferniederranna150925646wgd-donau-oberoesterreich-tourismus-gmbh-peter-podpera.jpg) © Open copyright © WGD Donau Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH-Peter Podpera Close copyright [ ![Zillenbauer Königsdorfer in Hofkirchen im Mühlkreis: A workshop or workroom with woodworking materials and tools. An open door offers a view of nature outside. Various worked and unworked pieces of wood and tools lie on the floor and shelves.](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/206541/CB9FE4D9468B1D9D861A33ED20B642ACC9AE3A1A81C154FB3A80F72BD49B5B63/zillenbau-koenigsdorferniederranna150925695wgd-donau-oberoesterreich-tourismus-gmbh-peter-podpera.jpg "© WGD Donau Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH-Peter Podpera") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/206541/CB9FE4D9468B1D9D861A33ED20B642ACC9AE3A1A81C154FB3A80F72BD49B5B63/zillenbau-koenigsdorferniederranna150925695wgd-donau-oberoesterreich-tourismus-gmbh-peter-podpera.jpg) © Open copyright © WGD Donau Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH-Peter Podpera Close copyright [ ![Zillenbauer Königsdorfer in Hofkirchen im Mühlkreis: Two men, one in blue dungarees and the other in light-coloured work clothes, stand in a workshop with various tools and materials on the walls. They are smiling and appear to be working together.](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/206542/0AA856BD5A558E1BC2C9566A7D94A931781155FCF2C5E573472A67F27B7C4FDB/zillenbau-koenigsdorferniederranna150925664wgd-donau-oberoesterreich-tourismus-gmbh-peter-podpera.jpg "© WGD Donau Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH-Peter Podpera") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/206542/0AA856BD5A558E1BC2C9566A7D94A931781155FCF2C5E573472A67F27B7C4FDB/zillenbau-koenigsdorferniederranna150925664wgd-donau-oberoesterreich-tourismus-gmbh-peter-podpera.jpg) © Open copyright © WGD Donau Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH-Peter Podpera Close copyright [ ![Zillenbauer Königsdorfer in Hofkirchen im Mühlkreis: Two men are standing next to each other in a workshop. One is a little younger and is wearing a white jumper and dungarees. The other man is older, has grey hair and is wearing blue overalls. They are both smiling and looking at the camera. Behind them you can see various tools and materials that suggest a craft workshop.](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/206543/D918C82DDD14B0AB7959087C8E70BA8D0DD6245F25BE1A82C1EDDCCF2718ACAC/zillenbau-koenigsdorferniederranna150925671wgd-donau-oberoesterreich-tourismus-gmbh-peter-podpera.jpg "© WGD Donau Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH-Peter Podpera") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/206543/D918C82DDD14B0AB7959087C8E70BA8D0DD6245F25BE1A82C1EDDCCF2718ACAC/zillenbau-koenigsdorferniederranna150925671wgd-donau-oberoesterreich-tourismus-gmbh-peter-podpera.jpg) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. pets allowed Niederranna 38 4085 Hofkirchen im Mühlkreis [ open in Google Maps ](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Niederranna%2038%2C%204085%20Hofkirchen%20im%20M%C3%BChlkreis "Link will open in a new window") [ Open in Apple Maps ](https://maps.apple.com/place?address=Niederranna%2038%2C%204085%20Hofkirchen%20im%20M%C3%BChlkreis "Link will open in a new window") ![](https://static.ecmaps.de/staticmap.jpg?experience=webarchitektur-meta&lat=48.467717&lon=13.791008&width=991&height=450&project=ttg-osm-summer-original&zoom=2000&server=meta.tourdata.at) ***Crafts - Traditions*** In the village of Niederranna, the family-run Königsdorfer business builds traditional Zillen. In our fast-paced, “digital” age, it’s rare for a down-to-earth craft to be passed down through a family for nearly 200 years. But in Niederranna, time moves at a pleasantly slower pace. And so it is that the Königsdorfer family has been building the traditional Zillen boats typical of the Danube Valley since 1820. Like his father and many of his ancestors before him, the head of the family, Rudolf Königsdorfer, practices the craft of boatbuilding—as one of the last remaining master boatbuilders on the Danube. And he ensures that, year after year, around 80 handcrafted Zillen leave his workshop. Their shape is a classic, whether they are traditionally rowed or modernly motorized. The flat bottom is what distinguishes the Zille, giving it stability in the water and a shallow draft. In earlier times, boats for the Danube were “caulked”—that is, sealed with moss and hemp. This is the origin of the legend that a good Zille must first sink before it can float. This is because the natural materials actually only sealed the hull once they had swollen in the water. This is no longer the case with modern Zillen. And yet, they still embody much of the old tradition of boatbuilding—200 years of passed-down knowledge. **The Ancient Craft of Zille-Building** The custom-built Zille—look over the Zille builder’s shoulder during a free group tour (10 to 50 people) (duration: 1.5 hours). Group sizes: 10 to 50 people Available: Year-round by advance reservation [ Contact ](#ttgCollapseKontakt) ---------------------------------- **Königsdorfer Boat Builder** Niederranna 38 4085 Hofkirchen im Mühlkreis Phone +43 7285 508Show no. Fax machine +43 7285 508 - 4 E-Mail [koenigsdorfer@zille.at](#mailto) Web [www.zille.at](http://www.zille.at "New window") http://www.zille.at --- **Contact person** Mr Christian Königsdorfer Niederranna 38 4085 Hofkirchen im Mühlkreis Phone +43 7285 508Show no. Fax machine +43 7285 508 - 4 E-Mail [koenigsdorfer@zille.at](#mailto) Web [www.zille.at](http://www.zille.at "New window") --- **We speak the following languages** German [ Opening hours ](#ttgCollapseOeffnungszeiten) ------------------------------------------------ Monday–Thursday, 7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Friday 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Appointments outside our business hours can be scheduled by **calling +43 7285 508**. - Registration required **Closing day**- Saturday - Sunday - holiday [ Arrival ](#ttgCollapseAnreise) ---------------------------------- **Parking**- Parking space: 6 - Bus parking space: 1 [ Equipment ](#ttgCollapseAusstattung) ---------------------------------------- - Toilet facility **Service**- Guided tour [ Prices ](#ttgCollapsePreise) -------------------------------- **General price information**Products and boat accessories available upon request. - Free entry **Discounts (Age-related / Groups)**- Groups [ Suitability ](#ttgCollapseEignung) -------------------------------------- - All weather - Suitable for groups - Pets allowed - Suitable for families - Suitable for friends - Suitable for couples **Season**- Spring - Summer - Autumn - Winter [ Accessibility ](#ttgCollapseBarrierefreiheit) ------------------------------------------------- Please get in touch for more information. 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