Ballenberg, Swiss Open-Air Museum

Ballenberg is an open-air museum in Hofstetten bei Brienz with 109 original historic buildings from every Swiss region spread across 66 hectares (163 acres). The buildings show traditional architecture and rural life with different housing styles, farm structures, and craft workshops from various periods.

The museum was founded in 1978 based on planning concepts from the 1930s, inspired by Stockholm's Skansen which became the first open-air museum in 1891. This founding idea made it possible to save threatened buildings from across Switzerland and preserve them in one location.

Visitors watch artisans at work and experience daily life with animals and traditional gardens showing plant varieties from different Swiss regions. This living setting shows how people managed their rural households and farms in earlier times.

The grounds have about 10 kilometers (6 miles) of walking paths connecting different exhibition areas that you can explore based on your interests. The best time to visit is between April and October when the buildings are open daily and the gardens are in full growth.

Each of the 109 buildings was transported piece by piece from its original location and kept its original materials and construction methods. This careful relocation made it possible to show real houses rather than reconstructions, giving the museum visit genuine authenticity.