Top 10 Medieval Living Museums in Europe

Discover European living museums that focus on various aspects of medieval life, allowing visitors to step back in time and experience history firsthand.



1. Skansen (Sweden)

Skansen in Stockholm is one of the world’s oldest open-air museums, showcasing traditional Swedish life, including medieval crafts, farming, and architecture.

Official Website

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2. Bokrijk (Belgium)

Bokrijk in Limburg offers a historical village where visitors can experience rural life from different eras, including the Middle Ages.

Official Website

1280px Bokrijk haspengouw

3. St Fagans National Museum of History (Wales)

Located in Cardiff, this museum features over 40 historical buildings from different periods, including a medieval church and houses.

Official Website


4. Le Puy du Fou (France)

Le Puy du Fou is a historical theme park in Vendée, France, where visitors can witness medieval reenactments, including jousting tournaments and Viking battles.

Official Website

330px Le Secret de la Lance

5. Viking Ship Museum (Norway)

Located in Oslo, this museum offers an immersive experience into Viking history, complete with reconstructed Viking ships and village life.

Official Website

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6. Foteviken Viking Reserve (Sweden)

Foteviken Viking Reserve near Malmö is a living history museum where you can interact with Viking reenactors and experience Viking life and culture.

Official Website

The museum of Foteviken nr1

7. Guedelon Castle (France)

Guedelon Castle is a unique project in Burgundy, where craftsmen and historians are building a medieval castle using traditional techniques. Visitors can witness the construction process.

Official Website

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8. Village Museum (Romania)

The Village Museum in Bucharest showcases traditional Romanian life, including medieval rural villages with authentic houses and workshops.

Official Website

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9. Butser Ancient Farm (United Kingdom)

Butser Ancient Farm in Hampshire is an experimental archaeological site where visitors can explore reconstructed Iron Age and Roman buildings and learn about ancient agricultural practices.

Official Website

1280px Sunset behind the Iron Age enclosure

10. Archaeological Park Carnuntum (Austria)

Carnuntum, near Vienna, is an archaeological park that brings ancient Roman history to life. It includes reconstructed Roman buildings and immersive experiences of Roman life.

1280px Ancient Roman amphitheatre in Bad Deutsch Altenburg

Official Website

These living museums offer a diverse range of historical experiences, from Viking life and medieval villages to Roman settlements and traditional rural communities.

Depending on your interests, you can choose to explore the aspects of medieval life that intrigue you the most.