Bauernhausmuseum Herk

About the museum

The Herkhof in Freiland near Deutschlandsberg is first documented in 1535, at that time as a tavern next to the church. After a village fire, the house was rebuilt in 1732 on the old stone walls; it is a typical farmhouse of western Styria with walls up to one metre thick and a shingle roof, and is a listed building. It was inhabited and farmed until about 1990.

In 2005 the Spieler family set up a private museum on rural life in its rooms. Visitors can see a storeroom, kitchen, living room and bedroom with original furnishings, as well as tools once used to make food, clothing, shoes and implements. In the vaulted cellar stands a model of the Princely Liechtenstein forest railway, which ran in the area from 1923 to 1963; a herb garden complements the museum.

Visits are only possible with a guided tour booked in advance – for individuals, groups and school classes, and on request with a walk to legendary sites in the surrounding area, dialect poems and a West Styrian snack. The farm is also used for weddings and celebrations.

Highlights

• Listed farmhouse from 1732
• Original kitchen, living room and bedroom
• Model of the Liechtenstein forest railway in the vaulted cellar
• Tours with dialect poems, legends and a snack

Permanent exhibition

• Bäuerliches Leben im Herkhof – Furnished living and working rooms and farm tools show how people lived and worked on a West Styrian farm.

Founded

2005

Operated by

Margareta und Franz Spieler

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

Freiland 36, 8530 Deutschlandsberg, at an altitude of 847 m in the Hebalpe area.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Weddings, christenings, birthdays and company events in the Rauchkuchl (up to 40 people), pavilion, barn (April to October), woods and wedding hall; overnight stays at the farm possible.

Plan your visit