The franconian historical open-air museum in Fladungen

Have you ever wondered how people lived in Germany in the old times? Then come with me to the historical open-air museum in Fladungen. Here you can find a lot of old houses – same as the were more than 100 years ago.

This trip is also recommended for families with children, as everything is presented in a very child-friendly way and there’s a lot to discover. So, even younger children will never get bored.

How do I get to Fladungen?

Fladungen is located in the very north of Bavaria, close to the Thuringian border, in the beautiful Rhoen Mountains. The best way to get there is by taking the A71, exit at Mellrichstadt. Alternatively, you can take the A7, exit at Fulda, and then travel to Fladungen.

Since Fladungen no longer has a train connection, traveling by public transportation* is unfortunately a bit difficult, but doable. It’s best to check with the local authorities about the best connections.

Due to its location in the heart of the Rhoen, Fladungen is a wonderful starting point for great hikes (for example, to the Wasserkuppe or the Black Moor). Great towns like Meiningen, Wasungen, and Schmalkalden are also nearby. So, you can easily plan a few extra days for your stay.

The history of the franconian historical open-air museum in Fladungen

The idea for an historical open-air museum dates back to 1979. At that time, Fladungen was still located in the immediate vicinity of the inner-German border, which was only a few kilometers away.

The foundation stone was laid in 1983, when a special-purpose association was founded and the foundation for today’s museum was laid. The first building to be restored was the Reßmühle mill, whose waterwheel can still be seen today.

In 1990, the Franconian Open-Air Museum in Fladungen finally opened. Fittingly, with reunification, Fladungen was now located in the heart of Germany and easily accessible from all directions. At that time, there were already eight buildings on the site for visitors to explore.

By the 25th anniversary in 2015, there were already 20 buildings waiting for visitors. And new ones are constantly being added. In the meantime, a really small village with 24 buildings has developed, including a church, old power houses, gardens and fields with old crops, and many animals have also found a home here.

Discovering the museum with Children

With prices of €8.00 ​​for adults and €5.00 for children (admission is free for children under 6), the museum is truly family-friendly. There’s also a family ticket (also valid for grandparents and grandchildren) for €12.00. This means that if parents or grandparents are present, all children can enter the museum for free.

The museum is also very well-equipped for children. There are many great panels, designed for children. There are old children’s games to discover, and even more for children in the Action House. Not only can you sing “Im Märzen der Bauer” (The Farmer in March – an old childrens song) in the stable, but there’s also a little discovery game and much more. So no way to be bored.

A journey into the past

But it’s not just children who get their money’s worth; adults can also truly enjoy a trip to the open-air museum. Here, you can immerse yourself in the past, experiences that were still everyday life 60-80 years ago. The many beautiful houses have been beautifully restored, and you can even look inside each one and discover new things. The beautiful old interiors allow you to experience everyday life in the Rhoen region of the past up close.

And in the three-sided courtyard, you can even use the interior furnishings. You can try out beds and wooden shoes. Or how about writing with a blackboard and scribbler, sitting on a wooden bench, and much more.

In addition to the many different houses, the Fladungen Open-Air Museum also features a church, a blacksmith’s shop, a cooper’s workshop, and a communal freezer. And in the old school, you can experience how our grandparents had to learn.

In various fields and gardens, nature lovers can also discover old crops and long-forgotten grains. Some animals have even found a new home in the open-air museum, making the experience truly real. Old tractors and harvesting machines can also be discovered and explored.

This active discovery is also what I particularly enjoyed. Not just marveling, but also trying things out for yourself. That’s what makes visiting the museum so interesting.

Guided Tours at the franconian historical museum in Fladungen

Of course, the museum also offers various guided tours. You can find more information about them on the official website.

Every second and last Saturday of the month, freshly baked goods are made in the museum’s historic bakehouse. If you’ve never tasted fresh bread or a plootz (a mixture of tarte flambée and pizza), you definitely shouldn’t miss it. There’s nothing better.

And if you’re at a special location for a children’s birthday party, how about a museum visit with an action-packed program? Here, you can choose between various themes that allow children to truly experience history up close and discover it for themselves.

The “Rhoen Zuegle”

A special highlight at the Fladungen Open-Air Museum is the “Rhoen Zuegle”. On the route between Fladungen and Mellrichstadt, you can explore the Streutal valley on a steam locomotive.

During the summer months, the Rhoen Zuegle runs approximately every other Sunday and on special occasions. It’s best to check the museum’s website upfront your visit. There you’ll find the current dates for these amazing special tours.

The Black Eagle Restaurant

Finally, I can definitely recommend the museum’s own “Black Eagle restaurant”. The dishes are something special and not mainstream. The food is very, very tasty, the service is quick and friendly, and the beer garden is a wonderful place to relax.

So you should definitely include a visit to the restaurant during your itinerary.

What a great experience

In summary, a visit to the Franconian Open-Air Museum in Fladungen is definitely a great experience – for all ages. You can easily spend half a day or even a whole day here, and it won’t get boring.

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