The Glentleiten Open-Air Museum will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026. The anniversary year offers numerous opportunities to delve into the past and rediscover Upper Bavaria's cultural heritage.
Since 1976, the Glentleiten Open-Air Museum has preserved the rural everyday culture of Upper Bavaria. What once began with 13 historic buildings has developed over the past five decades into the largest open-air museum in Southern Bavaria. Today, the approximately 40-hectare museum grounds comprise almost 70 historic houses, workshops, and barns, nestled among meadows, fields, and farm gardens.
Half a century of lived history
The idea for the museum originated in the early 1970s with the aim of preserving historic farmhouses and traditional building culture from disappearing. Buildings from all over Upper Bavaria were meticulously dismantled and reconstructed at Glentleiten with great craftsmanship. Even then, the focus was not only on the architecture, but also on the stories of the people who once lived and worked in these houses.
Over the decades, new buildings, exhibitions, and thematic focuses were added. Today, the collection ranges from historical furniture and clothing to tools and agricultural machinery. At the same time, the museum is constantly evolving – with modern exhibition concepts, sustainable energy supply, and interactive offerings for families and children.
Anniversary program at the Glentleiten Open-Air Museum
To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the museum offers guests a diverse program of events . The special exhibitions "Everyday Treasures" and "Time Spaces" provide fascinating insights into the museum's extensive collection and tell stories from five decades of museum work until the end of the season. In addition, free guided tours every Wednesday invite visitors to rediscover familiar buildings and uncover previously hidden details.
The series "The House and Us" promises to be particularly diverse: it focuses on life and celebrations in historic houses. Visitors can, for example, roll birthday candles or prepare traditional dishes on historic stoves. The free hands-on sessions will take place on May 23, June 27, July 18, August 8, and October 24, 2026, from 14 pm to 16 pm.
Guests can expect a behind-the-scenes look at the "Sundays at 11" series. Every last Sunday of the month, museum staff lead tours through otherwise hidden areas and share fascinating stories about their work.
Culinary delights and regional traditions also play an important role in the anniversary year. At the "Festival of Indulgence – A Feast for the Palate and the Eyes" on June 7, 2026, around 20 exhibitors will present regional specialties, heritage plant varieties, and handcrafted products. Around the historic Fischerweber farmstead, the focus will also be on traditional crafts, fishing, and distilling.
Another highlight is the grand festival weekend on June 20th and 21st, 2026. With music, craft demonstrations, a children's program, storytellers, regional delicacies, and hands-on activities, the museum grounds will be transformed into a vibrant festival setting. A panoramic crane will offer extraordinary views of the museum and the Alpine foothills.
Opening hours
March to May and October and November: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 17 p.m.
June to September: daily from 9 a.m. to 18 p.m.
Additionally open on Mondays during Easter (April 6th), Pentecost (May 25th) and Church Fair (October 19th).
