Thuringian Open Air Museum Hohenfelden
About This Museum
Nestled in the rolling hills just outside of Erfurt, the Thuringian Open Air Museum Hohenfelden is less a static building and more a living, breathing village. It tells the quiet story of rural Thuringia, having carefully moved and restored over 30 historic buildings from across the region to this site. You can wander from a humble 17th-century farmhouse with its dark, timbered rooms to a village school from the 1900s, almost hearing the echoes of children's lessons. The real magic is peeking into the cottage gardens and seeing the old workshops, where you get a true sense of the daily rhythms of life from centuries past. It’s a place that feels deeply peaceful, connecting you directly to the land and its people.
Collection Highlights
Don't miss the massive 'Dreiseitenhof' farmstead from Mühlberg, its great hall feeling grand even by today's standards. The village pub, 'Zum Löwen', still has that warm, inviting atmosphere where you can almost picture locals gathering after a long day. I'm always drawn to the simple weaver's cottage, its cramped quarters and loom telling a powerful story of cottage industry.
Visitor Information
Wear good shoes because you'll be doing a fair bit of walking up and down these historic village lanes. They often have craftspeople demonstrating traditional skills like blacksmithing or baking in the old ovens, so it's worth checking their schedule online before you visit.
Architecture & Building
You'll find a wonderful mix here, primarily half-timbered (Fachwerk) houses with their characteristic dark wooden beams and white plaster, but also some solid stone buildings and clay constructions, all showing how building styles evolved from the 1600s to the early 1900s.
Contact & Location
Address: Am Eichenberg, Hohenfelden, Kranichfeld, Landkreis Weimarer Land, Thüringen, 99448, Deutschland
Phone: +49 36450 43918
Website: Visit Website
