752 – Barn from Meggen LU, 1501
The Cattle Barn was built in 1501 and is the oldest known farm building in Central Switzerland that is free-standing, i.e. not integrated into a multi-purpose building.
488 Years Rock Solid
This barn was built on the “Weid” farm in 1501. It stood nearly half a century there and is now the oldest known utility building in Central Switzerland that was free-standing, i.e. not integrated into a multipurpose building. In 1989 the farm was torn down to make room for a building project. The barn migrated to the Ballenberg Open-Air Museum.
Two Building Phases
The structural skeleton with its columns and morticed-in beams is largely intact. Originally the barn had a squat “Tätschdach” roof. In 1799 it was rebuilt, including a cellar, a more steeply pitched roof and an extension. The older part was incorporated into the rebuilt structure – as building within building. The new construction employed used timber, as was then common.
Press Addition
The eastern addition, separated from the old part by a passageway, accomodated a fruit press. Presumably a big lever press was installed but is no longer extant. The press displayed here documents a step toward modernisation: it is electrically driven. According to an inscription it too comes from Canton Lucerne, namely from Martin Strebel of Hitzkirch and dates from 1905.
What can you see now in Meggen where this hay barn used to stand?
Where juice was once fermented, now the property is rented.
Ballenberg
Swiss Open-Air Museum
Museumsstrasse 100
CH-3858 Hofstetten bei Brienz
Opening hours
10 April to 2 November 2025
10 am to 5 pm daily
