Volkskunde- und Freilichtmuseum Roscheider Hof

About the museum

The Roscheider Hof above Konz belonged for centuries to the Benedictine Abbey of St. Matthias in Trier and is first mentioned in 1330. After secularization, Nikolaus Valdenaire – a freethinker based in Saarburg and influenced by the ideas of the French Revolution – bought it at auction in 1805 and expanded it into a four-sided farmstead, a layout unusual for the region. The estate later served as an agricultural school and as a Prussian and then Rhineland-Palatinate state domain, until the town of Konz acquired it in 1969.

After plans for a central state open-air museum on the site fell through, committed citizens founded their own sponsoring association in 1973. The driving force was the architect and building historian Rolf Robischon. On July 17, 1976, the museum opened with a few furnished rooms in the farm building and the first relocated house, the town hall from Gödenroth.

Since then, the association-run museum has grown into one of Germany's major museums of folk life. The extensive farmstead presents domestic life, shop-lined lanes and workshops as well as exhibitions on winemaking, Viez (local cider) and schnapps, cast-iron stove plates and laundry. The outdoor grounds feature a Hunsrück village of ten relocated half-timbered houses, a group of buildings at a freight station and makeshift 20th-century buildings, along with gardens, heritage fruit varieties and a museum vineyard. In 2026 the museum celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Highlights

• Large four-sided farmstead with lanes full of 20th-century shops and workshops
• Hunsrück village of ten relocated half-timbered houses with school, town hall and bakehouse
• Farm garden, herb, dye plant and rose gardens, plus more than 200 heritage fruit trees
• Freight shed from Konz station and a Reich Labor Service (RAD) barrack
• Craft days and “Lebende Geschichte” (living history) weekends

Permanent exhibitions

• Hofanlage Roscheider Hof – In the large four-sided farmstead, permanent exhibitions show living quarters, shop-lined lanes and workshops as well as topics such as winemaking, stove plates and laundry from about 1850 to 1970. Some areas are currently closed for renovation.
• Hunsrück-Dorf – Ten half-timbered houses relocated from the Hunsrück, including a town hall, school, bakehouse and craft workshops, some shown as they were around 1850, others furnished in 1950s style.
• Am Güterbahnhof und Baugruppe 20. Jahrhundert – Freight shed from Konz station, a Saargau house with a wine merchant's office, and makeshift buildings such as a RAD barrack and a Nissen hut.

Founded

1976

Operated by

Freilichtmuseum Roscheider Hof e.V.

Director

Prof. Dr. Helge Klaus Rieder (1. Vorsitzender des Trägervereins)

Admission & discounts

Guided tours (60 min., max. 20 people) €50 plus admission, extended tour (90 min.) €55, experience tour €70; theater tour or staged reading for groups €200 including admission. Members of the sponsoring association (annual fee from €20) get free admission. Free admission on your birthday.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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: no information
• Audio description: no information

Historic buildings on a hillside with an elevation change of around 30 meters along gently sloping paths; wheelchair users are advised to bring a strong companion or use an electric wheelchair. The ground floor of the main building can be reached via a step-free path, the upper floor by lift (currently out of service). A low-barrier path leads into the outdoor grounds, where there is no wheelchair-accessible restroom; accessible restroom in the main building. Most houses can only be entered over thresholds or steps. Restaurant and beer garden are step-free.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

Free museum scavenger hunt for children aged 6 and up at the ticket desk, playground next to the beer garden, baby changing table in the main building. Family Sundays, craft demonstrations and workshops (e.g. blacksmithing, soap making). Self-organized children's birthday parties in the Saargau barn (summer season only, tables and chairs provided).

Getting there & parking

Easy to reach by bike from all directions; bike racks for locking up in front of the museum.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant

“Wirtshaus Roscheider Hof” restaurant in the former barn, with beer garden (closed Mondays). Dogs on a leash allowed in the outdoor grounds, not in the buildings.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 150 guests.

Civil, Protestant and non-religious wedding ceremonies in the Clambour Pavilion (20 seats, €100), the rose garden with the Maret Pavilion (40 seats, €150), the vehicle hall (up to 100 people, €200) and on the Waldbühne forest stage (150 people, €200), each for 1.5 hours. Celebrations beyond a champagne reception only with the Wirtshaus Roscheider Hof. Children's birthday parties in the Saargau barn.

Plan your visit