Ballenberg Museum Regulations, Swiss Open-Air Museum

Ballenberg Museum Regulations, Swiss Open-Air Museum

1.     Introduction

The purpose of these museum regulations is to ensure the safety and respectful treatment of historical exhibits, the natural grounds of the Open-Air Museum and interactions between people. It applies to all visitors who enter the Ballenberg, Swiss Open-Air Museum site for their own or third-party reasons and remain on the site. The museum regulations apply to all areas of the museum all year round.

By entering the museum grounds, visitors acknowledge these museum regulations and the museum’s general terms and conditions.

2.     General rules of conduct

The historical buildings and their interior and exterior furnishings must be treated with care. They may not be touched or moved, nor may you sit upon or place objects on them.

Visiting the museum is at your own risk.

Dogs are not allowed in the buildings and exhibitions. This does not apply to guide dogs and assistance dogs. All dogs must be kept on a short leash at all times.

Eating and drinking in the museum buildings is forbidden. Excluded from this are the historical inns, as well as explicit offers by the museum.

All persons on the grounds of the Open-Air Museum must behave in such a way that does not disturb others. This especially applies to volume and interpersonal interactions.

The instructions of the museum staff must be followed without exception.

Fire and smoking

Smoking is strictly prohibited in the buildings. All buildings are equipped with smoke detectors.

Open fires are only allowed at designated locations during official opening hours until 4 pm. In the event of high forest fire risk (e.g. Foehn winds), there is a general ban on fires. This will be communicated by the museum staff and signposted with prohibition signs. Museum staff are entitled to enforce the smoking and fire ban and, if necessary, have the fire extinguished.

3.     Admission rules and opening hours

Visits to the museum grounds are only permitted during normal opening hours with a valid ticket. Outside of opening hours, tickets cannot be purchased, the museum buildings are not accessible and there are no outdoor activities offered.

To enter the museum, a ticket must be purchased, which must be kept until the end of the visit and presented on request. Tickets are available at the ticket offices or in the online shop. Vouchers or similar benefits must be exchanged for a daily ticket at the cash desk.

Opening hours

The museum is open between mid-April and early November. The exact opening hours can be found on the website of the museum.

Children and adolescents under 16 years of age

Children and young people under the age of 16 may only visit the museum if accompanied by an adult guardian.

The legal guardian is liable for any damage caused by underage guests.

School classes and groups

School classes and youth groups may only visit the museum grounds with a sufficient number of accompanying adults. Accompanying adults have a duty of supervision throughout their stay and are responsible for ensuring that the entire group complies with the rules of safety and decency.

Admission for school classes and larger groups is preferably organised in advance. Advance reservations are recommended.

Accessibility

The museum is only partially accessible. The trails are mostly dirt roads and not always wheelchair accessible. Please observe corresponding signs on the map of the museum and on the grounds. An electric wheelchair is available for rent with prior reservation. The museum staff are on hand to provide support.

4.     Special hazards on the grounds

The museum is located outdoors. Guests are advised to choose their clothing according to the weather. Sturdy footwear is recommended.

The crops and wild plants in the museum’s gardens, open spaces and forests may be poisonous and may cause adverse health effects if consumed or touched. Harvesting, removing, consuming or damaging the plants is not permitted. The wildlife and nature in the museum must be treated with due respect.

The museum buildings are reconstructed historical buildings, some of which do not fully meet current safety standards. Where necessary and in accordance with the historical context, the Museum has initiated appropriate measures to increase the safety of its guests. Nevertheless, guests are encouraged to move around the buildings and the grounds with caution.

The existing bodies of water must be treated with due respect. Swimming is forbidden in the lakes and ponds. It is not permitted to step onto frozen surfaces. There’s a danger of drowning.

5.     Safety precautions and rules of conduct in the event of hazards

There is limited winter road service, which is limited exclusively to clearing the necessary fire brigade entrances. The paths are not gritted or salted. Appropriate caution must therefore be exercised on the site.

In case of snowfall, roof avalanches are generally to be expected.

In case of extreme weather conditions, we can restrict access to the site at short notice all year round, or arrange for an evacuation of the site. In this case, the on-site signs and the instructions of the staff must be followed.

6.     First aid and emergency measures

The museum staff are adequately trained for various possible emergencies. In the event of an emergency, you should contact the museum staff on site or the reception on the emergency number +41 33 952 80 44.

Various emergency pharmacies and defibrillators are stationed on the premises. The locations can be found on the museum map. The employees are also happy to help. These medical aids can also be requested by calling the emergency number.

7.     Information signs and safety markings

Information signs and safety markings are clearly visible in the required places. They serve to increase the safety of people, animals and nature and provide information on possible hazards and special behaviours. They must be complied with at all costs.

8.     Liability and personal responsibility of visitors

Your visit to the museum premises is at your own risk. All guests are responsible for their own behaviour and compliance with the rules.

The Museum ensures that visitors do not suffer any damage if they use the Museum and its facilities properly. The Museum is not liable for accidents and/or emergencies and their consequences, nor for damages incurred by visitors as a result of improper use of the Museum and its infrastructure, as well as for personal negligence and disregard of instructions and warnings. This includes non-observance of the museum regulations and the general terms and conditions. The Museum is only liable for damages resulting from grossly negligent breaches of duty on the part of the Museum.

All visitors are responsible for their own actions and safety. The museum also accepts no liability for damages incurred by visitors as a result of improper handling of the museum animals or the animals of the partner companies, as well as the improper use of the infrastructure. This includes non-observance of the museum regulations and the general terms and conditions.

If damage is caused by guests at the museum, the reception or the museum staff must be informed immediately.

9.     Special rules for certain areas and activities

The historical buildings and their interior and exterior furnishings must be treated with care. They may not be touched or moved, nor may they be sat upon or have objects placed on them. Exceptions are expressly indicated.

The historic gardens also serve as exhibition space.

All museum animals, as well as animals of the museum’s partner establishments, may not be fed or touched. An exception is the petting enclosure on the Balm near Gasthaus Degen. Here, petting the animals is allowed.

Dogs are to be kept on a short lead. Pet waste must be properly disposed of. Robbidog containers with excrement bags are available throughout the museum grounds.

Access to certain areas may be restricted. The instructions of the staff and/or the on-site signage must be observed.

Special events and/or workshops are subject to separate rules, which will be announced in advance.

10.     Visitor services and support

The museum staff will be happy to help you with any queries you may have. Lost items can be handed in to our employees and picked up at reception.

11.     Environmental protection and sustainability

Waste must be disposed of properly in the containers provided and separated according to the labels.

Do not leave marked trails and respect the flora and fauna. Picking plants or disturbing animals is prohibited.

12.     Enforcement of the museum regulations

Museum staff are authorised to give instructions to all guests (individual guests and groups). Their instructions must be followed. Violations of the museum regulations, the general terms and conditions and/or the instructions of the staff may result in expulsion. In this case, the entrance fee will not be refunded. The same applies to the price of all booked services that have not yet taken place.

13.     Final provisions

The museum regulations of Ballenberg, the Swiss Open-Air Museum, enter into force on 1 April 2025 and apply to everyone who visits the museum. Changes and updates to the museum regulations will be announced on the website of the museum. If you have any questions or require further information, please contact the Swiss Open-Air Museum at any time on +41 33 952 10 30 or email info@ballenberg.ch.

Hofstetten bei Brienz, April 1st 2025