Ballenberg

Ballenberg Open-Air Museum where Swiss history is alive and kicking

Just outside of Brienz, you can visit and admire over 100 rural houses and farm buildings from all over Switzerland at the Ballenberg. Here you can visit magnificent farmhouses, humble workers’ quarters, alpine huts, barns, store-houses, wash-houses and drying ovens. They provide architectural as well as socio-historical testimony to the everyday life and rural culture of the past.

Old professions and interesting demonstrations in Ballenberg

Representative houses of the different farmhouse styles of Switzerland make up, however, only a part of the museum. Gardens, fields, pastures and meadows, set up according to historical models, surround the farmsteads and houses. In the buildings, there are craftspeople working with traditional tools. Hence, various theme exhibits give you an insight into scenes of rural former days. Moreover, about 250 farm animals, representing the whole gamut of native domestic animals, provide lively and interesting scenes at Ballenberg!

A weaving demonstration at the Swiss Open-Air Museum Ballenberg

Highlight

On several locations, volunteers present old workmanship. Whether it is a black smith, baker, weaver or another old profession, you can have a look and sometimes even try to help out yourself.

Eating and drinking

No less than four restaurants and a few food trucks can offer you many different kinds of food and beverages. From tasty light refreshments and home-style dishes to traditional Swiss specialties.

Good to know

The museum is open during the summer months, but in winter it is also accessible, but the houses are closed.

Duration of the trip

However the actual spent time greatly depends on what you want to see and experience. We recommend spending a whole day. It is also possible to combine the trip to the Swiss Open-Air Museum Ballenberg with a boat cruise on Lake Brienz.

Season

Early April to end October

The interior of a historic farmers house at the Swiss Open-Air Museum Ballenberg