Welcome
Visit the Westphalian Open-Air Museum...
...open from April until the end of October, Tuesdays to Sundays and on all public holidays from 9 a. m. to 6 p. m. (entry until 5 p. m.).
... of common life of the past 500 years in Westphalia arranged on more than 100 hectares in Germany’s largest open-air museum. While touring the green scenic landscape - by feet or horse-drawn carriage – you have an opportunity to travel through time from the “Gräftenhof” up to the “Sauerländer Dorf” (Sauerland Village), stretching from around 1800 until 1925. Many of our visitors return several times to discover and enjoy the museum building by building, epoch by epoch...
More than 100 historic houses, pulled down at their original places and reerected in the museum, are awaiting you with their characteristical construction as well as workshops such as blacksmith or a bakery and surprises like the “Haus der Gefühle” (House of Feelings). Take your time to enjoy the fresh air and the charming landscape: As varied as the Westphalian regions are, you will also find typical elements from the “Flechthecke” (a hedge made from wickerwork), to the fruit orchard, the copse the place of a charcoal burner or the rustic garden in front of the half-timbered house.
There is even more: for many years, the Westphalian Open-Air Museum Detmold has been committed to breeding uncommon domestic animals, which you can still encounter here: There are the “Sennerpferd” (horse breed) and the Siegerländer Rotvieh” (cattle breed) grazing on the meadows, on the pond there are the “Lippegänse” (goose breed).
…and many insights
If you would like to learn more than the legends, signs and lables coud impart to you: just ask the staff in the houses or workshops, book a guided-tour, or participate in one of our exciting programmes which you can find in our annual programme covering the seven months of our season.
Or have a look at our giftshop:
there is comprehensive literature on the history of Westphalia and the common life available.
Outlooks
If you would like to take a rest, visit our restaurants “Tiergartenkrug” or “Bistro Sauerland” in the Sauerländer Dorf (Sauerland Village).
On leaving the Open-Air museum, the surrounding area invites you for more activi-ties: you could stroll through the town of Detmold, visit to the “Lippisches Landesmuseum”, enjoy the scenic excitement of the Externsteine and the view from the “Hermannsdenkmal”.
For more detailed informations click here.
| Information for visitors (announcement): +49 5231 / 706-105 | |
| Phone: | +49 5231 / 706-0 |
| Fax.: | +49 5231 / 706-106 |
| e-mail: | wfm-detmold@lwl.org |
Please contact our colleagues in the info-office (for information and bookings of:
guided-tours, tours, pedagogic work) during your visit or by phone: +49 5231/706-104
