Ballenberg Open-Air Museum
Freilichtmuseum Ballenberg
Switzerland's largest open-air museum, with more than 100 traditional farmhouses moved here from across the country, showing traditional crafts and farm life.
The Ballenberg Open-Air Museum lies on a hillside near Brienz and covers about 66 hectares. More than 100 traditional farmhouses, barns and workshops from Switzerland's cantons, dating from the 16th to 20th centuries, have been carefully moved here and rebuilt. They are arranged by region to show the different architectural styles. The park keeps about 250 farm animals, and craftspeople demonstrate weaving, cheesemaking, blacksmithing and other skills on site, making it a good choice for families. A visit takes 3–5 hours and involves a lot of walking. Adult admission is about CHF 32, and Swiss Travel Pass holders receive a discount. Getting there: take a bus from Brienz station for about 15 minutes to the east and west entrances.
Opening hours
Approx. mid-Apr–end Oct 10:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Brienz
- Brienz Rothorn Railway
- Giessbach Falls
- Grindelwald First
- Bachalpsee
- Reichenbach Falls
- Iseltwald
- Aare Gorge