Craftsmen’s-Day at the “Freilichtmuseum Molfsee”

First and foremost: I am always thrilled by the open-air museum, Molfsee. So, you are not reading an objective report here.

Inspiriert von den vielen Eindrücken bei meinem ersten Besuch, habe ich am Wochenende mit meinem 70-jährigen Vater aus Hessen noch einmal das Freilichtmuseum besucht. Eine der ersten Anlaufstellen war das Haus des Drechslers, in dem altes Spielzeug zu bestaunen ist. Schon von der Puppenstube mit dem kleinen Ofen ließ sich mein Vater derart faszinieren, dass ich ihn nur mit der Ankündigung weiterbewegen konnte: „Das gibt’s gleich noch in echt zu sehen.“

We then systematically visited all the houses along the way. We were very impressed by the history of the German refugees at the end of the Second World War, which was presented in a house for homeless villagers.

After a few more houses and an encounter with the „Museum Peacock“ we arrived at the water mill, which gave us some rest. Although my sprightly father had boasted that he had just scaled boulders in the Harz Mountains, it was not only a physical strain, but also mental exhaustion that had us racing to a bench. Having enjoyed the beautiful view, we returned to the planned route. There is a lot to discover on the extensive grounds.

Die Rundfahrt mit der Museumsbahn ist kostenlos

Since opening in 1965, the open-air museum Molfsee has rebuilt more than 60 historic in a 40-hectare landscape that stood in the 16th-19th century in the whole of Schleswig-Holstein. The furniture, the household effects and the tools in the walk-in houses put visitors back in time and convey an idea of ​​ everyday life at that time. Many free-range animals such as chickens, geese and sheep underline the overall idyllic picture. The museum is fast to reach from the 501 bus that leaves from platform C at the Kieler ZOB. Entrance fees and event dates can be found at: www.schloss-gottorf.de/molfsee.

During my first visit in August, I was with a colleague in the open-air museum to report on the craftsman‘s day, which takes place there every year.

At this event traditional crafts are presented by volunteers who stand in and in front of the thatched roofs to invite you to join in.

In search of the artisan stalls, we often ended up in houses where no trades were presented, but rather invited you to visit them and linger because of their historical appearance. As a result, time flies by. So, to those who did not manage to marvel at all trades, especially since children and adults are allowed to participate in the harmless crafts, we offer our condolences.

The job of the bandreisser is too dangerous for the untrained. This craft harvests and splits willow rods with sharp tools to make barrel crates for butter, which were traded by the Hanseatic League throughout the Baltic Sea. As the amateur bandreisser told us, you could not use „iron barrel rims, because the rust made the butter spoil“.

We are lucky with the weather, but the event is well attended in all weather, children‘s groups gather in front of the individual trades, while the streams of visitors spread across the spacious grounds to meet at the chain carousel with snacks and seating.

Im Korbmacherhaus hat sich schnell eine kleine Besucherschlange gebildet als wir die Korbmacherin um ein kurzes Interview bitten. Kinder und Erwachsene flechten dort unter Anleitung kleine Körbchen. Die professionelle Korbmacherin mit einem Betrieb in Kiel und einem kleinen Laden im Museumsdorf bietet aber auch Flechtkurse an. Bei jeder Station stellen sich uns viele Fragen zu einer Welt ohne Autos und Smartphones und Fernsehen, und wir überlegen uns, sich vielleicht eines der historischen Handwerke als Hobby anzueignen.

Spitzenklöppelarbeit

Der seltene Betrieb der Dampfmaschine in der alten Meierei, die seinerzeit ganz leise und laufruhig das Industriezeitalter eingeleitet hat, ist beeindruckend. Beim Quietschen, das an der Außenseite des Gebäudes zu hören ist, denken wir spontan: „Hey, da muss doch mal was geölt werden!“ Die nähere Betrachtung zeigt aber, es ist einzig der Dampf, der aus einem kleinen Rohr an der Außenseite des Gebäudes austritt und das Geräusch verursacht.

… und die Geräte, die sie im Nebenraum antreibt

After an exciting day with a lot of exercise in the fresh air, we can sleep well.

Anyone who is clever, not only takes home with them the many impressions made upon them from the museum, but also takes some freshly baked sourdough bread from stone oven bakery, just like we did.

Author: Carsten

Internet

www.schloss-gottorf.de/molfsee