A scenic rural museum in the heart of Rhineland-Palatinate

First opened to the public in 1975, we are a non-profit organisation seeking to preserve regional historic buildings, landscapes, and culture.

Today our museum is home to over 40 historic buildings from four regions across the federal state, with new dwellings being added regularly. Covering 36 hectares (89 acres) of land within the scenic Nightingale Valley (Nachtigallental), our museum is the largest Open Air Museum of Rhineland-Palatinate.

Most of our historic sites have either been systematically dismantled and re-erected within the museum using the original materials or were transported here as a whole. Altogether they have been carefully arranged to present an accurate and lively depiction of regional history, culture, and everyday life from the Middle Ages until the mid-20th century. The interactive and vividly designed interior displays contribute to an immersive visitor experience. Historic living quarters, workshops, schools, and shops invite you to discover and learn about 500 years of history and cultural heritage.

Rescuing endangered livestock and domestic animals is part of our mission as well. Therefore large gardens, fields, and meadows are also an important part of creating an enjoyable, informative and inspiring atmosphere for our visitors.


Did you know that we host a range of workshops, guided tours and event days? Find out more about what you can do and what’s on here.

 



Plan your visit

Accessibility

Please note that our buildings are authentic historic exhibits and can only provide limited accessibility for people with disabilities. Please consider that most of the roads in the museum consist of rough cobblestones or are unpaved. Since the museum grounds are located in the picturesque Nightingale Valley, inclines should also be taken into account during your visit.

If you require any assistance please do contact us in advance and ask for our special guided tours for people with disabilities. Our staff will be glad to help.

info@freilichtmuseum-rlp.de, 06751-855880

Admission

Only cash payment available.

Adults 7,00€
Concessions* 6,00€
Children & young people (0-17 years) free
Annual pass (one adult) 20,00€
Annual pass (two adults) 30,00€
Tour guides, essential carers and companions free
Car parking free

*Students, Trainees, Disabled, Unwaged (Income Support, Social Welfare), Visitor groups of 12 or more

Opening times

End of March – Early November

 

Open Tuesday to Sunday:

  •             9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  •             Last entry: 5:00 PM

 

Check precise dates here


Closed on Mondays

(Open on Mondays only during bank holidays and school holidays in Rhineland-Palatinate)

How to get there

By car: 

Follow the brown museum’s road signs on B41 leading to Bad Sobernheim.

The museum offers plenty of free parking spaces for cars and coaches including an overflow carpark. 

 

By rail:

Bad Sobernheim is easy to reach by train with the museum being only 1.5 km away from the train station. There are direct connections to and from large cities like Mainz, Frankfurt a.M., Frankfurt Airport, Bingen, Idar-Oberstein and Saarbrücken.

Local trains “RE3” “RB33” and “RB34” operate on an hourly basis.

For current train time tables please refer to:

https://www.vlexx.de/fahrplan/regelfahrplan/

https://www.bahn.de/p/view/index.shtml

 

By bus:

Only on Sundays: Our museum has its own bus stop on REGIO LINIE 260, also stopping at Bad Sobernheim train station.

For detailed schedules and full bus network of the RNN please see:

www.rnn.info


Facilities

Food & Drink

We think of our museum not only as a place of learning and culture but also as one of great recreational value. During opening season the museum’s own restaurant serves warm food and drinks in the historic “House Niederbreisig”. Self caterers are welcome to use our picnic areas and tables but we kindly ask you to not feed any of our livestock and use the bins provided to keep the grounds clean.


Shop

If you fancy taking your own piece of Bad Sobernheim Open Air Museum with you feel free to browse our little historic shop. Not only does it provide toys for children, books, and different curiosities, but also a good selection of local products. Some of these we produce ourselves, as the museum has its own little vineyard, apiary, and good amounts of various fruit trees.


Dogs

Dogs are very much a member of the family. Do feel free to bring your four legged companion along but please remember to keep your dog on a lead at all times. During hot weather we also provide water trays for your dog’s wellbeing.