Hessenpark
Anyone who desires to explore the historic trail of Hessen land in Germany can make their desire come true in this magnificent museum known as the Hessenpark Museum. Established in the year 1974, the Hessenpark is a museum which is open-air in nature i.e. it a type of museum which showcases the exhibition of various buildings in open, that is, in and out of the doorway thus boasting the pride of being one of the unique, classy museums of its own type in Hesse, Germany. The unique display of its artifacts reflecting the past rural story of Hessen or Hesse has popularized Hessenberg as a favorite destination for families, friends, picnics, excursions, etc. This museum in the Neu-Asprasch offers vivid and dynamic insights unlocking the past cover of the historic rural lives in the Hesse state of Germany.
Location:
Covering an area of about 60 hectare in the hills of the Taunus, covered in the green blanket of trees, Hessenpark is situated in a small town named Neu-Anspach of Autobahn 5, to the north of Frankfurt and lying to the south of Friedberg, Germany. It is a place where the pages of rural past of the Hessen land comes to life to the eye of the observer. Near to the Hassenpark lies the Saalburg forests and the Lochmuhle amusement park providing scope for the visitors to explore the areas nearby.
When to visit?
During summer season from early March to late February, this open-air museum is opened to its visitors daily from 9 am in the morning to 6 p.m. and from 10 am to 5 pm during the weekends of the season.
While during the winter season which starts from November till late February, the visiting hours of the museum is from 10 am to 5 pm while on the weekends it is from 11 am in the morning to 4 p.m.
History:
The history of this museum dates back to the year 1974 when the State Government of Hesse of Germany was led by the then German President Albert Osswald. His purpose was to unlock the past doors of rural live of Hesse by preserving and reconstructing of half-timbered old buildings and artifacts of that time and let the present and future generations explore them.
The open air museum of Hesse-The Hessenpark
While stepping from the entrance to the Marketplace of this museum of Hesse, one could explore the opportunity of time traveling back to 400 years from the old reconstructed buildings houses which are half-timbered in architectural design, typical in those days to the various demonstrations displayed could help anyone feel like walking through a bridge connecting the present to the past of the Hessen land. Besides proving immense possibility to explore and compare various architectural designed houses of the Bygone Eras of the different places and areas in Hesse, the occupation and the lifestyles of the past people of Hesse could also be experienced by the travelers. In the museum, one can visit about 100 old renovated buildings from day labor houses to farmsteads showcased over an area of about 160 acres. The museum is divided into five different groups of buildings to reflect and represent the various areas of the state of Hesse from where different houses were relocated and protected from demolition and destruction for the buildings of the present era. All these buildings that are presently standing as a pride of the museum were once scattered in different areas of Hesse. These old buildings were broken, tore, dismantled following refurbishing and rebuilding. Even today this process of reconstruction of those houses is being carried.
These unique and unparallel collections of the buildings which reflect the 400-year-old past of Hesse can make the explorer feel the same way the people in the past felt. These old buildings include windmills, churches, elementary schools, synagogue all of which can be witnessed. These buildings are like a collection of mirrors reflecting images of the life of Hesse in those days including both good and their bad times. Demonstrations of various traditional rural crafts, techniques, ancient agricultural practices are noticed while exploring the same.
The reconstructed buildings in the marketplace consist of a bakery, two restaurants, a store that sells typical Hessian meals and food products, gift shops, a hotel and also an office for providing information to the tourists.
These restaurants offer meals of Hessian specialties providing both indoor and outdoor sitting arrangements for the visitors while market shops sell icecreams, drinks, etc.
This museum is rightly said to be alive as one can easily notice various activities carried in the museum from feeding the chickens to grazing of cows and sheep’s, from looming to the weaving of clothes. While on the other side growing of tobacco and hops can be seen.
These old buildings are utilized in various ways from organizing various demonstrations and exhibitions to refurbishing with various pieces of past artifacts. Also one could visit the historical workshops in the museum.
Nowadays, these museums apart from providing the opportunity to the travelers to explore also provides opportunities to learn. Apart from preserving various old tools, crafts, and machinery various traditional practices could be explored and learned by the visitors. Craftsmanship was given next importance to farming in the past days of Hesse as it would also serve as a major source of income. Moreover, trades of blacksmiths, carpenters, and millers could also be encountered by the visitors in this open air museum.
Besides, the museum provides chances to the children to learn about the glorious past of the country life. Everyone can deal with different objects of historical importance along with their working methods and techniques. Thus, the museum helps people gain knowledge regarding the life of then Hesse along with providing information regarding the social and economic status of the rural people of the past Hesse. Practical participation along with tours with guides helps in social interaction among the groups.
Utilizing of forest and its products in those days of past could be encountered by the visitors including both adults and kids following forest discovery trail. A notice board highlights the information and methods regarding it which could be immediately and practically tested, thus helping to impart knowledge of sustainable forestry among the people. Overall, the museum provides enough scopes of enjoyment to its visitors along with providing and imparting exceptional knowledge in a lively way thus satisfying them in best possible ways.
Thematic tours, activity offers, and a culinary offer are some of the package deals provided by the museum projects to the adult groups. It even providing opportunities to the groups to take part in activities such as braiding of ropes, crafting, and construction of half-timbered architect houses.
The exhibitions displayed both inside and outside showcases various artworks and paintings of historical importance also including exhibition exhibiting various traditional folk costumes of the Hessian culture. Along with these various special exhibitions take place in this museum yearly.
Places nearby:
Frankfurt:
Renowned as a center for transportation and finance, Frankfurt is mostly known for its cityscape beauty. Because of the city’s Manhattan-like skyline, it is more un-German like. It has got one of the busiest airports in the world, the reason being Frankfurt the first stoppage in Germany for many travelers. Even though it has gained a very high reputation in the finance sector of the world, it is more famous for being one of the world’s most livable cities. Moreover, other attractions that one can enjoy here are it’s highly advanced and outstanding transport system, museums, parks, restaurants with splendid dining presentation and cuisines thus highlighting this power banking city as a city of contrasts.
Marksburg Castle in Braubach:
The only castle of the medieval age of the Middle Rhine that has never been broken down thus making it a major tourist site.
Bad Homburg vor der Hohe:
It is a part of the power banking city of Germany, Frankfurt. This place is famous for spas, the spas here use various beneficial medicinal mixed in mineral waters. Moreover, this place is known for casinos being one of the reasons for being one of the wealthiest districts in the Germany. It is also famous for its historic sites, nature with scenic and captive beauty and nightlife.
Thus, Hassenpark is not only a museum that exhibits the old buildings of past, but it is also a connecting bridge that helps its visitors travel a journey of excitement to the past decades where their ancestors belonged. Also, the museum provides various demonstrations and other teaching aids with a view to educating the people in a superb way. Moreover, the admission fees of the adults and the children are below average German rate. Every year various special demonstrations are showcased on public demand. Moreover, one can also enjoy and celebrate their birthday parties and other special occasions amidst this beautiful life-like museum along with exploring the development of the eras in the passage of time.
So plan a visit to this amazing place and explore Hessenpark with your family and friends.