Herbst- und Schlachtfest Vogtsbauernhof Gutach

The Largest Open Air Museum in the Black Forest

The Vogtsbauernhof in Gutach in the Breisgau region is the quintessential Black Forest Open Air Museum – and also the oldest of its kind in Germany (founded in 1964). Spread across a spacious area in the middle Kinzigtal valley, there are six original Black Forest farmhouses from three centuries, several mills, a sawmill, a collection of old craft stalls, and a living agricultural area with historical farm pigs, sheep, chickens, and cows. On the last weekend of October, the museum transforms into a lively Harvest Thanksgiving celebration – the traditional Autumn and Slaughter Festival.

Craft Demonstrations on Saturday

Saturday, October 28, 2026, is dedicated to traditional crafts. From 11 am to 5 pm, craftspeople will demonstrate their skills in the various farm buildings:

• Glass Engraver – Engraving of drinking glasses and mirrors
• Straw Shoemaker – Making traditional straw slippers
• Blacksmith – Historical blacksmithing at the open fire
• Additionally, from 11 am to 4 pm, carving of Turnip Ghosts – an Alemannic tradition before Halloween, creating pumpkin-like lanterns from turnips instead of pumpkins

Slaughtering, Preserving, Pickling

At the heart of the festival is traditional Black Forest slaughtering culture – a form of farm food production that was the backbone of the seasonal diet in many Black Forest valleys well into the 20th century. A farm pig is processed according to old customs in the museum, and fresh pork scratchings are served from 11 am to 4 pm. Museum staff will also demonstrate old preservation techniques:

• Sauerkraut preparation in a wooden barrel
• Drying of fruits and mushrooms
• Pickling of vegetables and meat
• Smoked sausage and ham in the black smoking chamber

Season Opening of the Black Forest Autumn Holidays

The Autumn and Slaughter Festival marks the beginning of the Vogtsbauernhof's autumn holiday program. In the following days, further activities will take place: bread baking in the Black Forest farmhouse bakery, cheesemaking, cider pressing, apple and pear drying. Tradition meets modern interpretation – school classes, kindergartens, and families from the entire Ortenau district and the southern Black Forest utilize the program.

Getting There and Location

The Vogtsbauernhof is located in the Kinzigtal valley, on the B33 between Hausach and Hornberg. The museum is optimally accessible by train – its own stop "Hausach-Vogtsbauernhof" is on the Schwarzwaldbahn railway, which runs between Offenburg and Konstanz. It's a 200-meter walk from the stop to the museum entrance. By car, take the A5 / B33.