Kärntner Freilichtmuseum Maria Saal, Open-air museum in Maria Saal, Austria.
Kärntner Freilichtmuseum Maria Saal is an open-air museum spread across four hectares with 38 historical buildings arranged on four different levels. The collection includes farmhouses, workshops, mills, and ovens representing different periods of regional history.
The museum began in 1936 when a local organization started rescuing historic buildings threatened with destruction. The first major structure, dating from the 15th century, was moved to this location in 1972 and became the foundation for the growing collection.
The buildings showcase how farming families and craftspeople organized their daily lives in the Alpine region. You see the connection between living spaces and work through the furnishings and tools left in each house.
The museum welcomes visitors from May through October, with longer hours during the summer months for those planning a longer visit. Guided tours available in multiple languages help you understand the buildings and their stories.
One building in the collection dates from 1470 and represents one of Europe's oldest examples of block construction technique. This early building method reveals craftsmanship skills that were passed down through generations of Alpine builders.
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