Odenwälder Freilandmuseum
Open-air museum in Walldürn-Gottersdorf with farmhouses, day laborers' cottages, Grünkern kilns and a brickworks from the Odenwald and Bauland regions.
About the museum
The Odenwälder Freilandmuseum in Gottersdorf, a district of Walldürn, opened in 1990. It is run by the nonprofit association Odenwälder Freilandmuseum, which is dedicated to preserving rural cultural heritage in the Odenwald, Bauland, and the Tauber and Neckar valleys. The museum is one of seven regional open-air museums in Baden-Württemberg that together show the diversity of rural life in the state.
So far, seventeen buildings from the region have been dismantled and rebuilt on the grounds of over four hectares; two farmsteads in Gottersdorf are integrated as outposts at their original location. They are divided into an Odenwald building group and a Bauland building group and range from a tiny day laborer's cottage, poorhouse, and small and large farms to technical monuments such as two Grünkern kilns and a pre-industrial brickworks.
The houses are furnished in faithful detail to their respective eras and show the daily life of the rural population over roughly the last 300 years before agriculture was mechanized. Particularly popular are the Haus Bär, furnished in the style of the 1950s and 1960s, the day laborer's house from Walldürn and the "Blaues Haus" (Blue House), a shepherd's house from Gerolzahn. Farm gardens, orchard meadows, cultivated fields and museum animals complement the buildings; living history demonstrations and event days make life in the past vivid.
Highlights
- Haus Bär in the style of the 1950s and 1960s
- Day laborer's house from Walldürn and "Blaues Haus" from Gerolzahn
- Two Grünkern kilns and a pre-industrial brickworks
- Inn "Zur goldenen Krone" in the style of the 1920s
- Farm gardens, orchard meadows and museum animals
Permanent exhibitions
- Baugruppe Odenwald – Small farm with village tavern, day laborer's, shepherd's and poor house, brickworks, threshing hall as well as the Gottersdorf farms Bär and Schüßler at their original location.
- Baugruppe Bauland – Farmhouses from Allfeld and Bofsheim, a day laborer's cottage, field barn, apiary and two Grünkern kilns from the Bauland.
- Founded
- 1990
- Operated by
- Odenwälder Freilandmuseum e. V.
- Director
- Margareta Sauer
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5People with severe disabilities, students, unemployed people with proof, people in groups of 8 or more, and visitors arriving with a same-day bwtarif ticket, Schüler-Ferien-Ticket, JugendticketBW or Deutschland-Ticket |
| Children & teens | €3.50free up to age 5 · Children and teenagers aged 6 to 17 €3.50; pupils in school classes €3. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €5companion free · People with severe disabilities pay the reduced admission; wheelchair users have free admission. |
| Students & apprentices | €5 |
| Groups (8+ people) | €5 per personTour fee depending on duration from €50 (e.g., 1.5 hours through five museum houses), plus admission. |
| Families | –With the Landesfamilienpass, adults pay the reduced admission, all children of the family are free. |
| Season pass family or grandparents with grandchildren | €40 |
| Season pass individual | €30 |
Free admission for members of the operating association and with the BOC guest card of the Touristikgemeinschaft Bergstraße-Odenwald. Card payment is currently not possible. Wedding photography on the grounds by registration €50.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials
- Audio description
Paths are surfaced but not asphalted or paved, with some slopes. The historic houses are not accessible due to narrow rooms, high thresholds and steep stairs. Accessible restrooms available; audio guide also in Easy Language and with audio description.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Playground / play area
- Kids’ birthday parties
Children's audio guide, museum education programs from preschool age (e.g., "Vom Korn zum Brot", "Kindheit vor rund 100 Jahren") and children's birthday parties from age 5. In front of the entrance, a playground and soccer field, soccer ball against a deposit at the ticket desk.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Public transport from Walldürn, Miltenberg or Amorbach; bus stop in front of the museum grounds. Reduced admission with a bwtarif, JugendticketBW or Deutschland-Ticket.
By car
Parking available
Visitor parking lot opposite the Klosterweiher; turning space for tour buses at the bus stop in front of the museum.
By car via the B 47 between Walldürn and Amorbach, turn-off to Gottersdorf; directions from the A3, A6 and A81 on the museum website.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant
Café and inn "Zur goldenen Krone" in the small farm from Dallau, furnished in the style of the 1920s, with a beer garden (Sun, public holidays and event days from 11:30; groups of 12 or more people by advance registration). Drinks and ice cream at the entrance, picnic areas on the grounds; dogs on a leash allowed.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Weddings / ceremonies
Up to 20 guests.
The threshing hall is an official wedding venue of the town of Walldürn (currently max. 20 people; registration via the Bürgerbüro Walldürn). Tavern room for groups of up to 40 guests; film and photo recording on request.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (DE) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Audio guide to download to your smartphone or as a loan device at the ticket desk, also for children. Group tours of 1.5 to 3 hours for a maximum of 20–25 people each, advance registration required (06286 320). |
