November 28, 2026 – January 6, 2027
Unter einem Stern – Krippen aus aller Welt
Nativity scene exhibition with a selection from the private collection of some 700 nativity scenes belonging to Swiss collector Lydia Flachsmann.
Heimatmuseum Fürstenberger Hof
Thatched Black Forest farmhouse from 1660 in Zell-Unterharmersbach that shows rural living and working under one roof.
Opening hoursFree admission
Current exhibitions
About the museum
The farm was built in 1660 by a farmer from the territory ruled by the House of Fürstenberg, which is where the name comes from. For three centuries it remained a working farm; the last occupants, until 1971, were the Armbruster family. After that, the municipality of Unterharmersbach, now a district of Zell, bought the property and set up a Black Forest farm museum in it.
The building is a typical Kinzig Valley single-roof house: living quarters, stable and barn are all under one shared thatched roof. Characteristic features are the contrast between sandstone on the ground level and dark timber on the upper floor, and the Alemannic ribbon window at the southwest corner with 112 small panes. The timber frame is still held together by some 1,500 oak pegs. After a fire in 1991, the house was faithfully restored by 1993.
The exhibition shows the furnished living quarters with the parlor and its “Herrgottswinkel” (devotional corner), the kitchen with an open hearth, the stable and barn, and the bakehouse and well house, with historic household goods and tools from the Harmersbach Valley. The museum is located in the spa garden area on the Harmersbach stream; it is owned by the town of Zell am Harmersbach and supported by a friends’ association. Since 1998, large nativity scene exhibitions have been held every two years during Advent.
Highlights
- Thatched single-roof house from 1660 with living quarters, stable and barn
- Parlor with vaulted ceiling and devotional corner (Herrgottswinkel)
- Alemannic ribbon window with 112 small panes
- Open hearth, bakehouse and well house
- Nativity scene exhibitions during Advent
Permanent exhibitions
- Schwarzwälder Bauernhaus – Furnished living quarters, kitchen, stable and barn show the life of a farming family in the Harmersbach Valley, with original furniture and tools.
- Operated by
- Stadt Zell am Harmersbach (Ortsverwaltung Unterharmersbach) mit Förderverein
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Groups | –Guided tour for up to 20 people €50 (register with the Unterharmersbach local administration office). |
|---|---|
| Group tour (up to 20 people) | €50Registration required |
Free admission. Admission to the nativity scene exhibition has not been published.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Weddings / ceremonies
The parlor is available for civil weddings from March to October.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Group tours year-round by registration: Ortsverwaltung Unterharmersbach (local administration office), tel. +49 7835 6369260, unterharmersbach@zell.de, or the Zell am Harmersbach tourist information office. |
