Alamannen-Museum Vörstetten

Current exhibitions

About the museum

Within the municipality of Vörstetten, north of Freiburg, archaeologists uncovered the remains of a settlement in 1991, between 1998 and 2000, and in 2007. Most of the finds date from the transition between late antiquity and the early Middle Ages, when Alamanni settled on the Upper Rhine in the 4th and 5th centuries – within sight of the Roman border fortifications on the other side of the Rhine.

To make these results accessible to the public, the Museums- und Geschichtsverein Vörstetten (museum and history association) was founded in 2005; it still supports and runs the museum entirely on a volunteer basis. The initiator was Prof. Dr. Helmut Köser. From 2006 the first buildings went up on the outdoor grounds, and in September 2007 work began on reconstructing a 16-meter-long longhouse combining living quarters and stable, based on a ground plan from the "Grub" field in Vörstetten. The museum opened in July 2009. A foundation set up in 2019 by the founding couple, the Kösers, is intended to secure its operation in the long term.

In the exhibition building, panels and display cases explain the origins and way of life of the Alamanni, their relationship with Rome, and the Vörstetten excavations; the upper floor covers everyday techniques such as fire-making, baking, smithing, and weaving, and an annex houses special exhibitions. The outdoor area presents a complete farmstead with longhouse, granary, pit house, bread oven, well, smithy, pottery workshop, and garden. The furnishings of the dwelling are reconstructed from surviving wooden finds from Oberflacht and Trossingen. Since 2022 there has also been a reconstructed Roman pottery kiln. During farm reenactment days and festivals, association members in period costume demonstrate historical crafts.

Highlights

• Reconstructed Alamannic farmstead with a 16-meter-long longhouse
• Furniture and household goods based on wooden finds from Oberflacht and Trossingen
• Original finds from the Vörstetten excavations
• Roman corner with a replica watchtower ruin and a Roman pottery kiln
• Farm reenactment days and Roman festival with living history

Permanent exhibitions

• Alamannen und Ausgrabungen in Vörstetten – The first floor explains the origins and history of the Alamanni and displays the finds from the local excavations; the upper floor focuses on their daily life.
• Alamannenhof (Freigelände) – A fully reconstructed farmstead with longhouse, granary, pit house, workshops, and garden lets visitors walk through rural life in the 4th/5th century.

Founded

2009

Operated by

Museums- und Geschichtsverein Vörstetten e. V.

Admission & discounts

The Museums-PASS-Musées is accepted (free admission for regular visits).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

According to the museum, the museum building is accessible. Most of the reconstructed buildings on the outdoor grounds are accessible with a wheelchair or walking aid; the pit house has a few steps. Dogs on a leash are allowed in the building and on the grounds.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children's birthdays and children's groups with hands-on activities such as bread baking, fire starting or writing runes (approx. 2.5 hours). Family festivals with animals at the Alamannenhof, bread on a stick and activities for children; you may bring your own picnic to the grounds.

Getting there & parking

A5 exit Freiburg-Nord toward Gundelfingen/Vörstetten; signposted with brown signs in town. Accessible parking space at the museum.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available

Cold drinks, a hot drinks machine (tokens at the ticket desk), and farm-made ice cream; bringing your own picnic onto the grounds is welcome. Hot food at festivals and farm reenactment days. Dogs on a leash welcome.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit