English

Welcome to the Hessenpark, the Open-Air Museum of the State of Hesse

An exciting survey awaits you here of more than 400 years of rural life in Hesse –from houses complete with original items of furniture, permanent exhibitions, for example, of church steeple clocks, a historical post office or Hessian painting, to presentations of old craft and farming techniques, to a variety of events and recitals all of which are listed in this calendar. You will get a vivid impression of how people lived and worked in the past over an area of 150 acres and in more than 100 original buildings.
The open-air museum not only offers a unique collection of Hessian half-timber buildings, it also reflects everyday rural culture in Hesse – history brought to life in a lively museum. Located in the idyllic Taunus mountains, which is the nature and recreational area for the Rhine-Main region, the Hessenpark is the perfect destination for an excursion with the whole family.

From shepherd houses to compact villages
Since 1974, more than 100 original buildings have been rebuilt in keeping with scientific standards. These buildings could not be maintained at their original location. The Museum is organized into five groups of buildings according to the regions they have been relocated from. Each group of buildings presents a typical settlement of the particular region. In general, the houses and farmsteads originating from different villages are arranged into a settlement to generate an impression of the architecture as well as the social and economic structures of the respective regions.

400 years of living history
Part of the true-to-life impression of the museum is the large variety of craft and farming presentations in original settings, be that historical workshops, stables, houses or in the fields. In former times, living and working largely formed a unit which you can experience here at the Hessenpark, including many unusual exhibitions which convey a multifaceted image of past times.
The programme is rounded off by a variety of events, from a Fairy Tale Day, the couching festival and the harvest festival to readings, recitals and photography exhibitions. Finally, a stroll across the market square with its shops and the historical restaurant “Zum Adler” provide an atmospheric conclusion to any visit to the Open-Air Museum Hessenpark.

Experiencing how people lived in the past
The aim of the “performers” at the Museum Theatre in the Open-Air Museum Hessenpark is to bring history to life. In the workshops and farmhouses or on the village square you will meet people who have a lot of interesting things to tell about times past. On certain Sundays, the whole Museum becomes a journey through time when we have pleasure in welcoming you to the “Four Seasons” cycle or to the “Outing”. Why not taking part in life in the village and its everyday events …
Or visit one of our popular theatre and costume performances: accompany the rural postman Rudi, who knows just about everything there is to know, and has a lot to say about village life, or Marie the HerbWoman, who will take you on an exciting herbal tour.

Our Service From Seminar to Puppet Show
In addition to thematic tours and tours in different languages tailor-made, on request, to your specific needs, the open-air museum offers a variety of seminars and projects on the most varied of topics.
For children and young adults we have designed lively school projects, from wattle-and-daub to puppet-show workshops; we also arrange unusual programmes for children’s birthdays. We would be glad to help you in planning all these activities so that you can really enjoy your visit to the Hessenpark


Opening Hours:
2 January to 28 February, daily from 10 am to 5 pm.
1 March to 31 October, daily from 9 am to 6 pm.
1 November to 29 November, daily from 10 am to 5 pm.
1 December to 30 December, daily from 10 am to 5 pm (24 December closed).
Admittance up to one hour before closing time.
Guided tours on request, also after 2 December.
The market place and the restaurants are open all year round.
For the shop opening hours see the internet under www.hessenpark.de

Admission in Euro:
Adults 6,00
Groups of 7 or more adults 5,50 per person
Groups of 20 or more adults 5,00 per person
Family ticket* 11,00
Mini-Group ticket** 11,00 
Children (6-15 years) 2,70
Pupils, students and handicapped persons 2,70
Dogs 1,00

* Parents or a parent with child/children aged between 6 and 15 years.
** A maximum of two adults with child/children aged between 6 and 15 years.
(Admission free for children up to and including 5 years.)
Guided tours, projects and children’s birthdays from 43.00 Euro (reservation required).

Note: From December to February admission prices are halved. Admission charges may differ for special events.