Ballenberg, Swiss Open-Air Museum
About This Museum
Nestled in the rolling hills near Brienz, with the turquoise lake and mighty Alps as a backdrop, Ballenberg isn't your typical museum. It’s a sprawling, living village where you can stroll from a sturdy farmhouse from the Emmental to a delicate wooden chalet from Valais, all in an afternoon. I spent hours just watching the artisans—the blacksmith's hammer ringing out and the scent of fresh bread from a centuries-old bakehouse. It feels less like looking at history and more like stepping directly into it.
Collection Highlights
Don't miss the grand Consistorium from Bern with its painted ceilings or the chance to see traditional cheesemaking in action at the alpine dairy. The farmyards are alive with heritage animal breeds, and the gardens are planted exactly as they would have been hundreds of years ago.
Visitor Information
Wear your comfiest walking shoes because this place is massive; you could easily spend a full day here. It's located just outside Hofstetten bei Brienz and is well-signposted. Check their website for seasonal opening times and special events, like the harvest festivals in autumn.
Architecture & Building
An incredible collection of over 100 original buildings rescued from all over Switzerland, ranging from heavy stone farmsteads to intricate timber-framed houses with shingled roofs and colorful shutters.
Contact & Location
Address: 100, Museumsstrasse, Schried, Hofstetten bei Brienz, Verwaltungskreis Interlaken-Oberhasli, Verwaltungsregion Oberland, Bern/Berne, 3858, Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera/Svizra
Phone: +41 33 952 10 30
Website: Visit Website
