Gutach-Vogtsbauernhof
 

Has anybody been to this open air museum near Gutach in the Kinzigtal Valley of the Black Forest? Reviews?
I will be traveling by train, as far as Gutach. Is there a walking path up to this collection of 16th century typical black forest farmhouses?

We visited the Vogtsbauernhof in Sept. 2002 and really enjoyed it. Would definitely recommend it to those interested. I can't recall but I think the information was only in German tho I could be wrong. Anyhow, enjoy! As to the travel portion I don't know, we were staying in Triberg at the time and had a car.

www.schwarzwaelder-freilichtmuseum.de/ (in english) will give you all the info you need - including how to get there, fees, tours, a map, and special events. Sounds like fun!

I've had a long standing love affair with the farms of Germany and my favorite type of farmhouse structure is the typical Black Forest Bauernhof. I have visited the Vogtsbauernhof open air museum many times over the past 20 years and no matter what the weather it is always looked forward to. Several farm structures, mills, etc with the centerpiece farm being the Vogtsbauernhof built in 1612 and still standing in it's original location. The other farm buildings were dismantled, brought here and restored. You will get the best experience if you arrive just as the gates open at 9am on a weekday and miss the bulk of the tour buses which invariably arrive before noon and throughout the rest of the day. I enjoy getting there early on a cool, misty, rainy Black Forest September morning and being able to walk around enjoying the quietness and solitude and reflecting on how it must have been to grow up there all those many years ago.

If traveling by train you should get off at the Hausach station and then (according to their website) it is 30 minutes by foot. I would think there are signs and paths to follow but I've always arrived by car and am not sure. Perhaps you can email the Operations office at [email protected] and they will respond with more detailed directions.... Ben

http://www.bensbauernhof.com/openairmuseums.html

I went to the open air museum in Gutach when I did a home exchange near there in St. Georgen, Germany. I found it very worthwhile. I believe there was something available in English that gave you information about all the homes. I found it fascinating.

Went to the museum a few years ago while living in Freiburg. Can only echo all the opinions - it was very nice! You can see many many houses from the inside, and it really gives you a great feel of how it must have been. We were there on a rainy day, and it was not very crowded. Outside of the complex there is like a little market, where Black Forest goodies are sold - mmhh. We bought a loaf of fresh baked bread and just had to eat it on the spot... (my mouth is watering...)

In any case, I think you'll enjoy it!! Also, make sure not to miss Gengenbach near Offenburg, which is a very nice little town with lots of half-timbered houses.