Freilichtmuseum Ballenberg
On 66 hectares stand over 100 historic buildings from all regions, plus crafts, farm animals and participatory activities.
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About the museum
The open-air museum emerged from the desire to preserve rural buildings from all regions of Switzerland. In 1963, the Federal Council established an expert commission to examine a national open-air museum; the grounds at Ballenberg above Brienz received the approval. The foundation was established in 1968, and the museum opened in 1978 with 16 buildings. By 1980 there were 25 buildings, by 1985 already 61. Today, over 100 residential and ancillary buildings stand on the grounds.
The selection of houses is based on the results of 'Action Agricultural Building Research in Switzerland', which recorded the most important house, farm and settlement forms in the country. Since 1996, over 200 farm animals have enlivened the pastures and stables, and the seminar center opened in the same year; the Association Landscape Theater Ballenberg was founded in 1992.
Today visitors can view parlors, kitchens and chambers, watch over 30 crafts in workshops, and learn more about building history, life stages or forests in themed permanent exhibitions. The foundation Ballenberg is the operator. The grounds extend between the municipalities of Hofstetten and Brienzwiler and have two entrances, West and East.
Highlights
- Over 100 historic buildings from all regions of Switzerland
- Over 200 farm animals and around 30 crafts in workshops
- Ballenberg railway and carriage rides
- Themed permanent exhibitions such as 'My Forest' in the house from Sachseln OW
- Playgrounds, interactive stations and fairy tale Sundays for families
Permanent exhibitions
- Baustelle Schweiz – In individual houses, supplementary exhibitions tell the building history, for example in the residential house from Schwyz of 1336, where two exhibitions show 700 years of history.
- Geburt, Hochzeit, Tod – Permanent exhibitions on the three major life events, such as an staged birthing room in the house from Wattwil SG.
- „Mein Wald“ im Forstmuseum – In the house from Sachseln OW, it's about who owns the forest; the exhibition leads from the past through the present to a view into the future.
- Founded
- 1978
- Operated by
- Stiftung Ballenberg
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 32 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | CHF 29Students, trainees, AHV and IV |
| Children & teens | CHF 16Children from 6th to 16th birthday |
| Seniors | CHF 29AHV/IV |
| Visitors with disabilities | CHF 29IV |
| Students & apprentices | CHF 29Students and trainees |
| Groups (10+ people) | CHF 29 per personper adult from 10 people; children CHF 14.50 |
| Families | CHF 72Parents with their children or grandparents with grandchildren from 6th to 16th birthday |
| Groups from 10 people – children (6 to 16 years) | CHF 14.50 |
| Class unit (school classes and adult education from 16 years) | CHF 24 |
| All-terrain electric wheelchair, daily rental | CHF 25at West entrance, only by prior arrangement |
Online tickets are 10% cheaper. Free with Swiss Museum Pass, Swiss Travel Pass and Museums-PASS-Musées; Raiffeisen MemberPlus members with up to three children free. 25% discount with Bernese Oberland Pass, Camping Card Bernese Oberland and guest cards of surrounding regions, 50% with KulturLegi. Dogs on short leash free.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The grounds are accessible for people with limited mobility; the west part near Hofstetten has less slopes and more wheelchair-accessible buildings. At the West entrance, the map 'Ballenberg – à la carte' with a tour route and two electric wheelchairs for rental. Four wheelchair-accessible toilets; the Ballenberg railway is included in admission.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Family ticket | CHF 72 · Parents with their children or grandparents with grandchildren from 6th to 16th birthday |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Baby changing facilities
- Playground / play area
Interactive activities, playgrounds, petting area, fairy tale Sundays. Hand wagons available free at the entrances. Changing tables in several inns and at the toilet building near the Schaffhausen press.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Ballenberg West (Hofstetten)
With the Central Railway from Interlaken or Lucerne to Brienz or to Brünig pass, then local bus to Ballenberg West and East entrances; in summer also BLS ship on Lake Brienz.
By car
Paid parking
Parking at both entrances: first hour free, then CHF 1 per hour, day rate CHF 5 (East entrance 6–24 hrs). Two electric charging stations at West entrance. Parking spaces for self-sufficient motorhomes at East entrance from mid-April to end of October.
Main entrance West: Museumsstrasse 100, Hofstetten; East entrance: Museumsstrasse 431, Brienzwiler.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
- Lockers
Restaurant 'Alter Bären', inn 'Degen', osteria 'Novazzano', inn 'Wilerhorn' (for groups) and snack bar circus wagon; shops and Märithüsli on site; grilling areas on site. Lockers at West and East cashiers.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Digital museum guide with tours, guided tours and workshops as well as Ballenberg courses in traditional crafts. Drone flights prohibited over the grounds. |
