Fränkisches Freilandmuseum, Open-air museum and brewery in Bad Windsheim, Germany.
Fränkisches Freilandmuseum is a 45-hectare open-air museum at the southern edge of Bad Windsheim's old town, holding over 120 buildings moved here from across Middle Franconia. They are arranged in groups such as East (Regnitz Franconia/Franconian Alb), South (Altmühlfranken), West (Main Franconia/Franconian Heights), plus 20th-century, industry and medieval sections. The two half-timbered houses in the photo stand behind a low picket fence, one with pale infill and dark shutters, the other with yellow infill and blue-framed windows.
The district council of Middle Franconia decided to build the open-air museum on 27 July 1976, and construction began in spring 1979 with buildings moved from their original sites. Over 120 buildings now stand on the 45-hectare grounds, grouped by region of origin. The oldest is a day labourer's house from Marienstein dating to the 14th century.
Craftspeople demonstrate carpentry, joinery, stonemasonry, glazing, coopering and blacksmithing, skills also used to build and maintain the museum. The Kommunbrauhaus from Schlüsselfeld brews beer in public demonstrations, served next door in the inn. The museum has been a film location, including for "Lauf Junge lauf" (2013) and "Der starke Hans" (2020).
The grounds are best explored on foot since buildings are spread across the site with paths connecting them throughout. Wear comfortable shoes and allow plenty of time to wander between the different areas and watch the craft demonstrations.
The Kommunbrauhaus, a communal brewery building, was moved to the museum from Schlüsselfeld. Brewing demonstrations are held there regularly, and the beer is served next door in the inn at the Kommunbrauhaus. In 2002 the Bavarian Brewers' Association and the Bavarian Hotel and Restaurant Association awarded the museum the "Goldene BierIdee" for reviving historic brewing sites.
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