Schwarzwälder Freilichtmuseum Vogtsbauernhof

The Black Forest with all Senses

History and tradition

Others

Gutach (Schwarzwaldbahn)

Germany

In the Black Forest Open Air Museum Vogtsbauernhof the Black Forest culture and history come to life. Visitors will find out how people lived and worked in Black Forest farmhouses during the last 500 years. As well as six fully-furnished farmhouses from different parts of the Black Forest, the visitors will find a labourer's cottage and about 15 outbuildings, such as mills, sawmills, storehouses, a distillery and a chapel, fields, kitchen gardens and a herb garden. The museum presents the many different faces of life in the Black Forest: its architecture, traditions, customs and trades, and the way people lived and farmed throughout the ages.

Founded as a museum of architecture over 50 years ago, today visiting the “Vogtsbauernhof Museum” also means to experience living history directly: throughout the whole season the visitors find traditional breeds of domestic animals in stables or out at feed, smell the smoke in old “Black Kitchens”, witness old handcrafts and mills in action, participate in free guided tours and take part in one of the many hands-on activities. Additionally, visitors are invited to the numerous traditional events ranging from the special day for traditional costumes to the “Schlachtfest” (traditional end-of-season feast), plus every year a new special exhibition on cultural history in the Black Forest. Each winter, at the third advent weekend, there is a huge Christmas market on the museum's ground where various craftsmen offer handmade products and regional specialities. Futhermore, the Christmas Market is framed by concerts, programs for children and lectures/readings.

The new season in 2018 brings the northern Black Forest to the museum, with the opening of the Schlössle - or 'little castle' - from Effringen from Wildberg in the districit of Calw. This former country manor is more than 600 years old, making it both the oldest building and the first manor house in a Baden-Wuerttemberg open air museum .

Daily Events:
Free guided tours for the public in german: daily at 2.30 pm, in August also at 11.30 am.

Craftsmen Demonstration: Museum visitors are invited to witness traditional crafts. Every day from May to September from 11.00 am to 5.00 pm.
Museum Workshop for families: In the Hotzenwaldhaus, under expert guidance, the Museum guests can make various items and objects, from cuckoo pipes and water wheels to lanterns.
Main season: From mid-May to mid-September and during the Easter and autumn half-term holidays, daily from 11am to 4pm (last workshop begins at 3.30pm).
Low-season: closed Mondays and Fridays
For participation in our free tours and hands-on activities, we ask you to register by the day before. Remaining places will be allocated on the day of the event by phone at 07831-4679 3500 or on site.