Oberschwäbisches Museumsdorf Kürnbach

About the museum

Around 1900, Kürnbach near Bad Schussenried was known for its large, thatched farmhouses in which living quarters, kitchen, stable and threshing floor lay under one roof. Decades later, only the Kürnbachhaus, built in 1661/62, still stood in its original place. In 1968 the town of Bad Schussenried set up a museum in it – the first open-air museum in Württemberg.

In the mid-1970s the district of Biberach took over as operator and gradually had typical buildings from Upper Swabia, dismantled at their original sites, rebuilt in the museum village. Today there are almost 40 buildings from six centuries, mainly from northern Upper Swabia; the oldest is the Haus Wolfer from 1499.

While the focus was initially mainly on building and architectural history, the museum today also tells of the lives of the people in the houses – including the poor, people with disabilities or horse hands who lost their jobs with the rise of the tractor – and includes the postwar decades. The grounds include farm and herb gardens, an orchard meadow with over 210 old fruit varieties, and old breeds of domestic animals. The museum also focuses on inclusive offerings. In 2026 the district opened a new entrance area with a parking lot and entrance building.

Highlights

• Kürnbachhaus from 1661/62 at its original location
• Haus Wolfer from 1499 as the oldest building
• Orchard meadow with over 210 historic fruit varieties
• Old breeds of domestic animals, farm and herb gardens
• Discovery trail for children and adventure tree house
• Museumslädele (museum shop) in the style of a corner grocery store

Permanent exhibitions

• Häuser aus sechs Jahrhunderten – Almost 40 rebuilt farmhouses, workshops and outbuildings with originally furnished parlors show life and work in the countryside of Upper Swabia.
• Ausstellungen zur Alltags- und Kulturgeschichte – Small exhibitions in the houses on topics such as food, work and festive clothing, the mechanization of agriculture and the car in the countryside.

Founded

1968

Operated by

Landkreis Biberach

Director

Jürgen Kniep

Admission & discounts

Ride on the mini steam train: children €1, adults €1.50, families €4.

Accessibility

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

Grounds accessible without barriers, paths graveled and easy to travel by wheelchair or walking aid; the historic buildings are only partially accessible (list of threshold heights on the website). Media guide in German Sign Language and Easy Language free at the ticket desk. For blind and visually impaired groups, the tour "Berühren erlaubt" (Touching Allowed); museum guide in Braille at the Museumslädele.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

Discovery trail with stations such as a water pump, milking cow and old school desk, farm animals, large playground with adventure tree house and historic bowling alley; free hand wagon rental. Mini steam train usually on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month. Children's birthday parties for 6- to 12-year-olds (€85 for up to 15 children). Holder of the state seal "Familien-Ferien" since 2021.

Getting there & parking

By car on the state road, follow the signs at Kürnbach.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Lockers

Museum restaurant Dorfcafé with Upper Swabian dishes (Tue–Sun 10:00–17:00, closed Mon; groups of 15 or more people please reserve); on Sundays baked goods from the historic bakehouse. Museumslädele with museum products and publications. Picnic areas and a grill area available to rent; 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