The Black Forest Open Air Museum (Vogtsbauernhof) is a living museum that recreates life in the Black Forest region of Germany. It’s an outdoor museum where visitors can explore historic buildings from different eras on a 17-acre farm, giving a perspective on how people lived in this region hundreds of years ago.
What You’ll See at the Black Forest Open Air Museum
Historic Buildings at the Black Forest Open Air Museum
The museum is one of the most visited open-air museums in all of Germany.
What makes this museum so amazing is that guests will get to see 6 fully furnished farmhouses, a laborer’s cottage, along with several outbuildings (storage houses, chapels, grain, and sawmills).
The buildings on site have been reconstructed from villages all around the Black Forest that visitors get to explore at their own pace.
These are some of what is available to see:
- Storehouse
- Bakery
- Stillhouse
- Grain Mill
- Sawmill
- Village School
- Barn
The furnished homes are filled with authentic period items. You will get a true understanding of the simplicity of the time.
Farm Animals
There are many different types of farm animals throughout the museum. Guests will find cows, chickens, goats, donkeys and more.
Families can enjoy them from a distance or close-up, depending on your comfort level!
Historic Trade Skill Demonstrations
Guests can watch the blacksmith demonstrate his craft, watch a miller grind corn in his wheel-driven water mill, & see various local goods that would have been made by hand.
The Black Forest Open Air Museum also offers daily demonstrations of several trades and crafts.
One of my favorites was watching a woman work an old loom.
The details of the blanket were stunning and it was exciting to be able to see her create a piece of art just like it would have been done centuries ago.
The Black Forest Open Air Museum offers visitors the opportunity to see how people lived in this region hundreds of years ago.
You’ll be able to explore historic buildings, farms, and villages from different eras.
Whether you want a fun day out with your family or you’re looking for something new and exciting to do on your next trip through Germany’s scenic Black Forest region, make sure that you stop by Vogtsbauernhof!
Black Forest Open Air Museum Admission
Admission is free with the Black Forest Card, otherwise, ticket prices at the gate are:
| Adults, Senior Citizens | € 10 |
| Reduced (Students, trainees, persons doing military/social service, severly handicapped) | € 9.00 |
| Children and Adolescents (6 – 17 years) | € 5.50 |
| Children up to 5 years | free |
| Family day pass + 1 child (parents with their minor child) | € 23.00 |
| Family day pass + 2 children (parents with their minor children) | € 28.00 |
| Family day pass + 3 children or more (parents with their minor children) | € 32.00 |
| Groups with at least 15 persons (price per person) | € 9.00 |
| School classes with at least 12 students (price per student) | € 4.00 |
The Black Forest Open Air Museum is open year-round.
- Summer (April – October): 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
- Winter (November – March): 10:00 am to 5:30 pm.
- Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and December 24th plus Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
How to Get to the Black Forest Open Air Museum
The Open Air Museum Vogtsbauernhof has its own stop.
It literally takes you right to the front entrance.
The Ortenau S-Bahn train stops at Gutach Freilichtmuseum once every hour during museum hours and during the Christmas market.