Freilichtmuseum Erlichthof

About the museum

Until the 19th century, log-timber houses (Schrotholzhäuser) characterized the Sorbian heath villages around Rietschen. When lignite was discovered beneath several districts in the 1950s, Mocholz, Viereichen, Altliebel and Zweibrücken were to make way for open-pit mining. The mining operator committed to dismantling the listed log houses and rebuilding them elsewhere; Rietschen was chosen because of its proximity to the affected villages.

From 1991, the museum farmstead, forester's house and barns from the mining zone were faithfully rebuilt at Erlichtteich; by 1997, further houses, a bakehouse and the village street had been added. The settlement was officially opened in 1997 as part of a nature and fishing festival. Later, more houses that did not come from the mining area were added to the ensemble, and in 2007 the wolf barn was built with an exhibition about the wolves of Lusatia.

The log buildings, up to 300 years old, are made of pine trunks that were ringed beforehand and soaked in resin, then squared off with a broadaxe ("geschrotet"). Today the Erlichthof is a living heath village: the museum farmstead shows the former living and working world, while craft businesses, shops, restaurants and the nature and tourist information office operate alongside it. Festivals, markets, cabaret in the theater barn, and nature and environmental education programs enliven the grounds.

Highlights

• Log-timber houses up to 300 years old from heath villages lost to open-pit mining
• Museum farmstead with insight into rural life in the Lusatian Heath
• Wolf barn with an exhibition on the Lusatian wolves (currently being redesigned)
• Workshops, farm shop, chocolate shops and ceramics barn
• Guided tours and audio guide through the ensemble of timber houses
• Playgrounds, fishing adventure trail and alpaca enclosure

Permanent exhibitions

• Museumsgehöft Erlichthof – Historic farmstead of the settlement with an exhibition on living and working in the heath villages.
• Wolfsscheune – Exhibition by the wolf environmental education center on biology, monitoring and livestock protection; currently being redesigned as an interactive display, completion expected in fall 2026.

Founded

1997

Operated by

Gemeinschaft selbstständiger Betriebe; Natur- und Touristinformation: ArTour Rietschen GmbH; Museumsgehöft: Förderverein „Schrotholzhäuser Erlichthof“ e.V.

Admission & discounts

Access to the settlement is free (except during major events); admission is charged only at the museum farmstead and the wolf barn.

Accessibility

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

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Playground / play area

Certified as a "family-friendly experience" in Saxony: adventure and water playground, fishing adventure trail, alpaca enclosure, elf garden, children's audio guide, and environmental education and holiday programs.

Getting there & parking

Via the B115 between Cottbus and Görlitz; the access road is diagonally across from the gas station.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

"Forsthaus" restaurant, barn café and "Time Out Moments" café; farm shop, nature shop, chocolate shops, ceramics barn and souvenirs at the tourist information office; bike rental.

Events & venue rental

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

Up to 100 guests.

Theater barn for celebrations, weddings and corporate events (up to 100 guests); the museum farmstead also offers rentals.

Plan your visit