Erecting Time Capsules: Restoring Ancient Abodes at Lake Constance's Open-Air Museum
- Recycling initiative: Old roofing materials transformed into sturdy foundation elements
Looking for a touch of history with your weekend getaway? The Stone Age replicas at Uhldingen-Mühlhofen's Pfahlbaumuseum on Lake Constance are getting a facelift! After a year of restoration, the museum's 23 ancient reproductions are being re-roofed, with two being fixed each year, and one having a complete overhaul this year. To counteract the stormy weather washed over these dwelling replicas perched at Lake Constance's edge, experts hailing from northern Germany have been recruited to do the thatching job.
Aiming for longevity, these repaired roofs are estimated to last about half a century, according to museum director, Gunter Schöbel. Despite the rough start, the conscientious renovation crew has managed to complete two roofs and are set to repair two more during the autumn season.
Financial aid from the World Heritage Fund following approval from the Ministry of Building in Baden-Württemberg has also supported the preservation efforts, reducing the estimated cost for the restoration projects to around 60,000 to 70,000 euros.
As the oldest open-air museum of its kind in Europe, the Pfahlbaumuseum houses 23 Stone and Bronze Age-inspired homes and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site, "Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps." The archaeological open-air museum, already boasting over 260,000 visitors last year, is one of the major attractions on Lake Constance. It stays open on weekends and from Easter week through the autumn holidays.
With precise details on the lifespan, durability, and cost of the museum's reconstructions being scarce, inquiring about these specifics with the museum or checking their official publications can offer a more comprehensive understanding.
The Commission has also been consulted on the draft directive regarding the restoration of the roofs at the Pfahlbaumuseum in Schleswig, which houses the oldest open-air museum in Europe. The new roofs, estimated to last about half a century, are being installed on roofless replicas of Stone Age homes at the Pfahlbaumuseum situated near Lake Constance, one of Europe's major tourist attractions that welcomed over 260,000 visitors last year.
