Archäologie-Museum im Fränkischen Freilandmuseum Bad Windsheim

About the museum

The museum goes back to the Prehistory Museum Bad Windsheim, which from 1983 was housed in the town's Old Latin School. As the building offered no room for expansion, the Archäologische Staatssammlung München redesigned the exhibition and in 2001 moved it as a branch museum to the grounds of the Franconian Open-Air Museum.

It is housed in the sheep barn from Virnsberg in the district of Ansbach, built in 1507 and substantially altered in the 18th century. It was dismantled in 1992/93 and rebuilt by 2001 in the Middle Ages building group – deliberately in its condition after the alterations, since solid walls and a tile roof protect the delicate exhibits better.

The theme complements the open-air museum, whose original buildings only begin in the late Middle Ages: the completely redesigned exhibition of 2014 leads backward through time from the early Middle Ages via the Romans and Celts to the Stone Age longhouses. Reconstructed tools and models show how archaeologists reconstruct entire buildings from discolorations in the soil. Particularly impressive is the reconstruction of a burial house from Zeuzleben, in which a noble Thuringian woman was buried with rich grave goods in the 6th century.

According to the open-air museum, it is the most visited branch museum of the Archäologische Staatssammlung. Right next to it, the Archaeological Farmstead continues the theme outdoors with walk-through houses reconstructed from excavation findings.

Highlights

• Exhibition in a sheep barn of 1507 from Virnsberg
• Reconstructed burial house of a noble Thuringian woman from Zeuzleben (6th century)
• Reconstructed tools and building models from the Old Stone Age to the early Middle Ages
• Archaeological Farmstead with walk-through reconstructed houses next door

Permanent exhibitions

• Hausbau und Siedlungswesen in vor- und frühgeschichtlicher Zeit – A journey back in time from the early Middle Ages to the Stone Age shows with models, reconstructed tools and finds how people in Franconia built and settled.

Founded

2001

Operated by

Archäologische Staatssammlung München im Fränkischen Freilandmuseum (Bezirk Mittelfranken)

Admission & discounts

The Archaeology Museum is accessible with admission to the Franconian Open-Air Museum; the ticket is valid for all building groups and exhibitions. Free admission for, among others, members of ICOM and the German Museums Association and holders of the Bavarian Ehrenamtskarte (volunteer card).

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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

Level entrance (94 cm wide) without an automatic door opener – a companion is needed. The exhibition is mostly on one level; the princess's grave can only be reached via a staircase. In the open-air museum there is a well-passable wheelchair circuit (1.5 km), loan wheelchairs and hand carts at the ticket desk (reservation 09841 6680-40), accessible parking spaces at the service pavilion, accessible restrooms including at the parking lot and in the East and South building groups. Certified under "Reisen für Alle" (Travel for All).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

The open-air museum offers an adventure playground in the Altmühlfranken building group, bookable hands-on tours for families and children's birthday parties. Main paths are also passable with strollers; hand cart rental at the ticket desk (€3, €50 deposit).

Getting there & parking

Via the A 7 (exit Bad Windsheim) or via A 73/B 8 and Langenzenn. Covered bicycle racks and e-bike charging stations. In fall 2026, the Neustadt (Aisch)–Steinach railway line (RB 81) is closed, and a replacement bus service is running.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Lockers

In the open-air museum, four inns with beer gardens (Gasthaus Zum Hirschen, Wirtschaft am Kommunbrauhaus, Wirtshaus Zur Krone, Sommerkeller Weinbergshof), picnic meadows at the adventure area and a museum shop at the entrance. Lockers at the bicycle racks.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit